The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos rejigged their squad in the off-season, bringing in eight new players as they look to make a maiden Grand Final appearance in 2023.

The group has impressed over the club's two pre-season hitouts against Essendon and the Western Bulldogs, but will look to make an even greater impact when Round 1 against the Saints arrives next weekend.

In part two of the 2023 season preview, NMFC Media has taken a look at those who will wear the royal blue and white stripes for the first time this season.

In number order

No.1 - Liz McGrath

McGrath has impressed in both appearances she's made this pre-season, with her hitout-to-advantage strength on show against the Dons at Windy Hill.

"We looked at bringing Liz into the program because we need that competitiveness around the contest in the ruck and she provided that (against Essendon)," AFLW senior coach Darren Crocker said following the match simulation.

It's a tough team to break into, especially as a tall, but McGrath has the work ethic to remain in the selection mix each week. 

No.11 - Eliza Shannon

Brought in from Hawthorn during the 2023 Sign and Trade Period, Shannon has slotted in smoothly to North Melbourne's dynamic defensive mix.

The former Hawk adds to the rebounding power the Kangaroos possess through Erika O'Shea, Emma Kearney and Nicole Bresnehan, and is firmly in the frame for a club debut next weekend.

No.19 - Ruby Tripodi

After a solid performance through the midfield and forward line against Essendon, Tripodi slotted two goals against the Dogs to strengthen her case for a Round 1 debut.

The Kangas' only draftee this off-season, her high defensive work ethic was also on show, as she constantly troubled Dogs defenders when they attempted to exit the backline.

Already looking comfortable in the system, Tripodi is only going to improve learning from the likes of Jasmine Garner and Emma Kearney.

No.24 - Lulu Pullar

Pullar is another one of the club's acquisitions that has fitted in seamlessly.

The former Lion has had an interrupted pre-season, but was used at half-back against Essendon and then trialled on the wing against the Bulldogs, working in rotation with Taylah Gatt and Amy Smith under the guidance of Jenna Bruton.

No.27 - Ailish Considine

Having been signed in late July, exposure to Considine has been limited this pre-season but the two-time premiership player is quickly gelling with the team as the season nears.

She brings a wealth of experience over from Adelaide where she played 26 games over five years, mostly on the wing and at half-forward.

Considine, like several other players across the league, has skilfully familiarised herself with the game since arriving from Ireland, and will have the knowledge to help fellow recruit and Irishwoman Niamh Martin adapt to the sport.

No.29 - Lucy Burke

Burke came on as a sub in last Saturday's practice match win over the Bulldogs alongside Considine and McGrath, and the dual-position tall continued to build her case for a game against her former club.

Given Crocker's contingent forward of centre, Burke will most likely compete with Sarah Wright and Jasmine Ferguson for a key defender spot.

No.28 Niamh Martin

All the way from Tipperary in Ireland, youngster Martin is well underway in her first pre-season as an AFLW player.

Despite not having been selected in the side that faced the Western Bulldogs at Arden Street Oval, Martin showed plenty of promise against Essendon in her initial meeting with non-club opposition.

Given the talent the Kangaroos have across all lines at the moment, Martin may face an uphill battle to feature early in 2023, but her game sense and disposal will only improve with time.

No.33 - Kate Shierlaw

Brought in from St Kilda following a best and fairest-winning campaign, Shierlaw has already shown how dominant she can be in North Melbourne's attacking 50 throughout the side's two practice matches.

She bagged a game-high three goals against the Bulldogs at Arden Street last weekend and continued to show her athleticism, which has made her a difficult match-up for opposition defenders since she debuted for Carlton in 2017.

Shierlaw's partnership with fellow key forwards Tahlia Randall and Emma King, as well as ruck Kim Rennie, is beginning to look threatening and could be potent from the get-go when the group shapes up against her former team on September 3.