Summary 

North's season never really got going after it dropped four of its first five games in what was a tough opening fixture. The Roos showed at their best they could compete with any team and at times late in the season looked ready to make a successful tilt at the top eight. However, the Roos could ultimately blame themselves for their 10th-place finish, with their struggles to capitalise on five-goal-plus leads and win close games killing their finals chances. North's year had a sting in the tail when skipper Andrew Swallow suffered an Achilles injury in round 18 that is likely to sideline him until the second half of next season.

What worked 

North was the third highest scoring team in the home and away season, averaging 104.9 points a game. It was extremely competitive against the competition's best teams, narrowly losing to Hawthorn twice and splitting two nail-biters against the Cats. The Roos also suffered none of the blowout losses of recent seasons, with their worst loss by 39 points against the reigning premiers, Sydney Swans, in round three. Ten of their 12 losses were by 16 points or less.

North let too many close games slip, losing five games by four points or less. It also let too many match-winning leads slip, losing games against Geelong (round two), Adelaide (round nine), Gold Coast and the Brisbane Lions (round 16) after leading by 31 points or more. For this the Roos could blame their decision-making under pressure, lapses in defensive pressure and an inability to respond to opposition momentum swings.

Surprise packet 

Aaron Black (pictured below) had played just four AFL games in three seasons at North before earning a recall in round five this year. But from the moment Black took the field against the Hawks that evening his raw talent was obvious. At 192cm, the former basketballer is quick on the lead, strong above his head and cat-like when the ball hits the ground. The 22-year-old kicked 33 goals in 18 games this season and should be a key part of North's attack for years to come.

Disappointment 

After playing 37 games in his first two seasons, Kieran Harper seemed an established Roo who was likely to develop into a more consistent and influential player in 2013. However, after playing this year's first three rounds, the forward/midfielder was dropped and spent the rest of the season in the VFL. The speedy Harper is a prodigious talent and his defensive pressure can't be faulted, but the 21-year-old needs to win more of the ball.

MVP: Scott Thompson

Best rookie/first-year player 

Taylor Hine. Although the former Sun played nine games in two seasons with Gold Coast, he was North's best new player in 2013. The defender/tagger played 14 games in his first season with the Roos and gave them a harder defensive edge, manning stars such as Fremantle's Stephen Hill, Richmond vice-captain Brett Deledio, Sydney Swan Jude Bolton and Port Adelaide's Chad Wingard.

Best win: versus Geelong, round 19

Low point 

The Roos' round nine loss to Adelaide was the worst of its fadeout losses this season. North led by 30 points midway through the final quarter, but then ground to a halt as the Crows piled on five unanswered goals to steal a one-point win in the dying seconds. Coming just a week after the Roos' after-the-siren loss to West Coast, the capitulation raised questions about the Roos' leadership, mental toughness and fitness.

What needs to improve 

After the Roos' round 23 win over Collingwood, Brad Scott said the primary thing his team needed to work on over the 2014 pre-season was decision-making under pressure, particularly its ability to adjust to opposition momentum swings. The Roos also had too many defensive lapses in 2013 and will be looking to improve their 2013 ranking of eighth in points against.

What they need 

North's list is well balanced with no desperate needs. But, like most teams, the Roos could use another quick outside midfielder and an elite ball-user. Scott joked that another Daniel Wells would be handy but St Kilda's Nick Dal Santo would be too and reports have linked him to North. A small forward to support Lindsay Thomas would also not go astray and Carlton free agent Eddie Betts remains available. The Roos are also looking to bolster their coaching ranks with an experienced assistant, with the Sydney Swans' Leigh Tudor and Norwood senior coach Nathan Bassett likely candidates. 

Luke Darcy says: "Definitely one of the big improvers next year. They will learn from their mistakes."