The 2022 season has concluded for North Melbourne and the Kangaroos will head into the off-season with the playing group in relatively good health, with just five names on AIA Vitality injury list.

Jack Ziebell is one of those players after having shoulder surgery following the Round 22 match against Adelaide. 

Head of Performance Kevin White said the skipper will remain in non-contact training until the pre-season schedule ramps up.

“Jack is still in recovery phase at the moment and will look to commence rehab strength over the early off-season period,” White said.

“Over the time-course of the off-season, Jack will be back into running conditioning and ball work but most likely non-contact in the early weeks of the pre-season until that AC joint is sufficiently recovered and has full function/strength.”

The prognosis for Tristan Xerri and Miller Bergman - also shoulder injuries - is very good as they both build through their respective strength and running programs.

The duo will be allowed to take part in full contact drills once pre-season rolls around.

Jared Polec, who suffered an ankle injury early in the year that saw him ultimately sidelined for the rest of the year, is currently doing low level movement and strength work.

“The aim will be for him to be running in the next 3-4 weeks and assessing how he absorbs that stimulus,” White said.

“We would hope that come the start of pre-season he will join in with the main group.”

>> Click here for the full injury list, thanks to AIA Vitality

And building back through low-moderate levels of gym and running at this stage is Will Phillips, who managed just three VFL games this season due to bouts with glandular fever and COVID-19.

“He will be one that we will assess and monitor closely with regards to program progression over the off-season,” White said.

“We will be able to assess his group training status when pre-season commences pending his absorption of this training phase.”

The Kangaroos’ first-to-fourth-year players will return to pre-season training on November 21, with the fifth-year-plus players back on December 5.