New coach, new captains, new recruits, new era.
Saturday's clash with the West Coast Eagles presents as an opportunity not only to collect the four points, but to set a new standard as North Melbourne begins its resurgence towards silverware.
A raucous home crowd is expected at Marvel Stadium as Kangas fans and the AFL community finally get the chance to witness the proper culmination of the club's demanding summer sessions.
Clarko's comeback
It was announced back in August that four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson would be taking over the senior coaching reins at the club for which he played as a young footballer.
One of the game's greatest minds, his signing was an injection of optimism the club needed following discouraging on-field campaigns in 2021 and 2022.
Surrounded by a talented and decorated contingent of coaches, Clarkson will officially commence his comeback season on Saturday with a new structure and system.
North Melbourne's players have been captivated over a summer dedicated to learning his new gameplan and footballing philosophy. Off the field, the work Clarkson has put in to create a 'one club' feeling has impressed Kangaroos leaders.
"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," former captain Jack Ziebell said last month.
This weekend, after a season off, Clarkson is back at the coalface.
Sheez in
An impressive pre-season and a praiseworthy attitude has provided Clarkson and the selection committee with one of the easiest decisions they'll make all year: picking Harry Sheezel.
While his intraclub performances were noteworthy, a three-goal game against Richmond in North Melbourne's first battle with non-club opposition in 2023 put the new No.3 on the radar for an early-season appearance.
His football smarts and classy ball use against the Bulldogs a week later saw him progress even further towards being included in the side to face the Eagles, and on Tuesday afternoon the 18-year-old forward received the news he'd been striving for.
With the ability to create magic from nothing, Sheezel adds a fresh dynamic to North Melbourne's forward line, but he's proven to be more than useful across other sections of the ground as well.
Next man up
Last week there was unfortunate news for Ben McKay, as scans confirmed bone stress in the star defender's right foot. It means he'll miss Saturday's clash, but Clarkson and his staff have confidence in the list's depth.
"It's always difficult when one of your key pillars in your back-end succumbs to injury, but that's the game and we've always had the adage 'lose a soldier, replace him with another one' – you just need a player that can step up," the coach told Monday's Member Q&A.
Key recruit Griffin Logue, who has so far displayed that he's everything the club wanted and more in an athletic tall defender, is primed to tackle any opposition key forward after impressing with six intercepts marks against the Bulldogs.
His supporting cast remains a mystery heading into Saturday afternoon, however. Aidan Corr has been a force in the VFL practice matches, but may need further match practice and conditioning before he puts his hand up for selection.
Kallan Dawson and Aiden Bonar have continued to develop as key backmen under the tutelage of Clarkson, backline coach John Blakey and specialist coach Josh Gibson, and could both be included in the line-up.
Last time they met
A six-goal Nick Larkey masterclass was one of the deciding factors when the two sides met in Round 2 last season, with the Roos triumphing by 15 points at Marvel Stadium to pick up their first win of 2022.
Hugh Greenwood led the charge from midfield with 29 disposals, 10 tackles, nine clearances while Jack Ziebell was at his best defensively with 29 touches of his own along with 14 marks.
Kayne Turner chipped in with two crucial goals and seven tackles as the Kangaroos held off a depleted but resilient Eagles outfit.
