Former North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell is confident about what lies ahead in the near future for the club after disappointing 2021 and 2022 seasons.

With significant changes in the coaching ranks, a fresh crop of promising draftees and the addition of some well-known players from across the League, North Melbourne has a different look and feel about it as the start of the 2023 campaign awaits.

Ziebell pointed out the these off-field shifts have brought a sense of improved stability to Arden Street after two forgettable years, while he also acknowledged that pre-season talk about what is taking place on-field can always have a positive spin.

"It is a good time of the year," Ziebell laughed.

"No one has played opposition yet, so everyone's flying, everyone's as fit as they ever have been.

"I can only speak on my behalf as a senior player who's been here for a while, but this is probably the most stable we have been off-field - with the crew we've got at the moment - for a long time.

"And couple that with the young group we've got coming through at the moment, we have some elite talent on our list.

"Some of the young players coming through, especially in the midfield area, and not to discount our key position players, but we've got some really exciting young kids.

"So, it's going to be really exciting and I'm looking forward to getting to work. There is no doubt that we've got a lot of hard work to do, we finished 18th last year, that's a reality.

"The boys are under no illusion that it's just going to happen for us, we've got to make it happen."

It's no surprise that the effect new senior coach Alastair Clarkson has had has been an important one on the track so far, but the veteran defender says it's what he does off it that is equally as impressive.

"Clarko's been unbelievable," Ziebell mentioned.

"The way he treats people and the way he builds relationships with not just players but everyone in the whole footy club has really reshaped the club.

"Seeing the kids come onto the oval for a kick – 'Clarko' makes that a priority for us. It's not just about us as footballers, it really is about us as people and how we can become better.

"It's been a welcome change and the gameplan stuff he's introduced has been awesome. He is a master coach and it's been awesome to work with him.

"He's changed a few things but all in all, every team is very similar with what they try and do. There are three facets of the game - offence, defence, and contest – and we're working really hard in all of those facets."

As the Kangaroos begin the transition into a new era, Ziebell threw his support behind recently named co-captains Luke McDonald and Jy Simpkin, who are nearing their first games in charge against other AFL clubs, albeit practice matches.

"It's been a nice change for everyone, actually," Ziebell said.

"I think it was the perfect time for the football club. There couldn't have been two more perfectly suited candidates. They're doing a great job. They're finding their feet a little bit, but they're also embracing the role. I think it's worked out well for everyone.

"For me, I thought it was probably time to do this. This year was perfect. With the new coach coming on board, it just made sense. We've been through a pretty tough period, and I was more than happy to handle that load.

"(But) there's a greater level of stability at our football club at the moment. For Jy and Luke to come on board with 'Clarko', for me it was an easy decision. I was ready, the boys were ready, it was just about signing off and making it official."