1. New kids on the block

North Melbourne's latest crop of youngsters have already begun to excel in an AFL environment.

The No.2 pick in November's AFL Draft, Colby McKercher has been lighting up the track and looks to be in line for an early debut, as does No.4 pick Zane Duursma, who impressed with a strong showing in the club's most recent match simulation.

Taylor Goad (pick No.20), Wil Dawson (pick No.22), Riley Hardeman (pick No.23), and Finnbar Maley (rookie draft – pick No.2) will also be hoping to make a senior appearance in their first seasons.

2. Sophomore seasons

It was clear from the moment he burst onto the scene that the Roos had found a gem in Harry Sheezel. After earning a handful of prized accolades to cap off his rookie campaign, including the 2023 AFL Rising Star and the club's best and fairest award, he will be setting out to raise the bar in his second season at the highest level. 

A consistent, injury-free season will be among the similarly promising George Wardlaw's goals, while Cooper Harvey and Blake Drury will be looking to build on the promise they showed across their rookie seasons.

3. Watching 'Sausage' sizzle

An ACL injury in his draft year saw forward Brayden 'Sausage' George undergo rehab for the majority of 2023, keeping him away from any competitive matches.

George went back under the knife after dislocating his elbow in the off-season, but he's finally set to be unleashed, with a pre-season match sim the first challenge lying ahead.

Explosive and damaging inside attacking 50, the 2023 draft pick No.26 could yet prove an absolute steal for the Kangaroos.

4. A classic comeback

A guernsey filled with memories makes its return in 2024.

The iconic Bounding Roo is a design synonymous with the club's successful period in the mid to late 1990s, and now it's time for the new wave of Kangas to conjure their own magic in it.

The jumper's comeback coincides with the 25-year anniversary of the club's 1999 premiership triumph.

5. Sharpshooting Souv

North Melbourne's main man inside forward 50 will be coming off a career-best season that saw him solidify himself as one of the competition's most dangerous key forwards.

The deadly accurate no.20 kicked 71 goals from 23 games (going goalless just once), claimed his first All-Australian blazer, and finished runner-up in Syd Barker Medal voting in a year where the Roos struggled to claim wins.

The sky's the limit for the club's new vice-captain, who is only going to benefit from the emergence of the young forwards that surround him.

6. New recruits in fresh pastures

The Kangas went to work in the recent trade and free agency period, bringing in four new names.

Zac Fisher injects some experience into the list and looks set to make an impact in the royal blue and white off half-back, while Dylan Stephens has impressed through his running capacity.

Bigoa Nyuon and Toby Pink will both have pre-season opportunities to lock down a position in defensive 50 as coach Alastair Clarkson looks to arrange his starting side for the middle of March.

Which brings us to ...

7. A Giant first test

Round 1 is fast approaching, with a challenging match-up against the GWS Giants locked in for Saturday, March 16 at Giants Stadium.

Although coach Adam Kingsley's team make a tough first-up opponent, claiming the scalp of a 2023 preliminary finalist would do wonders for the young Roos.

Before the club ventures to Western Sydney to play for premiership points, you'll be able to catch the Roos in pre-season action against the Pies and Saints.

8. Returning troops

A host of Roos hampered by injuries a season ago are back on deck.

Star onballer Luke Davies-Uniacke, who dealt with hamstring and foot issues in 2023, is back to full fitness, as is Wardlaw, who will be hoping for a clean run this time around.

Also easing back into things are Callum Coleman-Jones, Cam Zurhaar,  Charlie Comben, Hamish Free, Curtis Taylor, Luke McDonald, and Jackson Archer.

Griffin Logue stands as the only confirmed injury-related out for Round 1. Pre-season injuries have set back Eddie Ford and Aidan Corr, but the pair are tracking well.

9. Clarko's new team

Primed for a full season at the helm, North Melbourne's four-time premiership-winning coach is surrounded by a relatively new-look crew.

Xavier Clarke (forward line coach) and Jed Adcock (backline coach) join Clarko's team following stints at Richmond and Brisbane respectively, while Leigh Adams shifts from overseeing the forwards to taking control of the midfield. Michael Barlow has also joined the club as Head of Development, with fellow addition Adam Marcon also set to work in the development space.

It's exciting to think what Clarkson and his staff could create in 2024.

10. The product of a mindset shift

"Anywhere, anytime" were the words from Jy Simpkin earlier this month, as he described the playing group's mindset shift.

It's a change that will be the driving force for the season ahead and one that could bear fruit for a young outfit laser-focused on improvement.

"Everyone on the list now is getting sick of being where we are," Simpkin said. "Everyone's working a lot harder … we're starting to mature a bit more.

"I can't really put a number on where we'll get to but we're going to improve, I know that for sure."