A fresh season is upon North Melbourne, and after four consecutive bottom-two finishes the new-look Roos will be out to raise their standards and rise up the ladder.

Here's a snapshot of the campaign that lies ahead, with Round 1 just around the corner.

Coach: Alastair Clarkson
Captains: Jy Simpkin, Luke McDonald
Vice-captain: Nick Larkey

Team list

1. Hugh Greenwood
2. Jaidyn Stephenson
3. Harry Sheezel
4. Aidan Corr
5. Curtis Taylor
6. George Wardlaw
7. Zane Duursma
8. Bailey Scott
9. Luke Davies-Uniacke
10. Colby McKercher
11. Luke McDonald
12. Jy Simpkin
13. Darcy Tucker
14. Liam Shiels
15. Dylan Stephens
16. Zac Fisher
17. Riley Hardeman
18. Wil Dawson
19. Griffin Logue
20. Nick Larkey
21. Callum Coleman-Jones
22. Taylor Goad
24. Tom Powell
25. Paul Curtis
27. Miller Bergman
28. Bigoa Nyuon
29. Will Phillips
30. Charlie Comben
31. Josh Goater
32. Toby Pink
33. Brayden George
34. Jackson Archer
35. Charlie Lazzaro
36. Tyler Sellers
37. Cooper Harvey
38. Tristan Xerri
39. Finnbar Maley
40. Eddie Ford
41. Blake Drury
42. Kallan Dawson
44. Cam Zurhaar
45. Hamish Free
46. Robert Hansen jnr

Coaches

Alastair Clarkson (senior coach)
Jed Adcock (senior assistant - defence)
Xavier Clarke (assistant - forwards)
Leigh Adams (assistant - midfield)
Damian Monkhorst (assistant - ruck)
Michael Barlow (head of development)
Tom Lynch (development/VFL senior coach)
Emma Kearney (development)
Adam Marcon (development)
Jarrod Lienert (Indigenous player development manager/development)

Ins

Zac Fisher (Carlton), Dylan Stephens (Sydney), Bigoa Nyuon (Richmond), Toby Pink (free agent), Colby McKercher (pick 2), Zane Duursma (pick 4), Taylor Goad (pick 20), Wil Dawson (pick 22), Riley Hardeman (pick 23), Finnbar Maley (rookie pick 2), Tyler Sellers (SSP)

Outs

Aiden Bonar (delisted), Ben Cunnington (retired), Jacob Edwards (delisted), Todd Goldstein (Essendon), Aaron Hall (retired), Daniel Howe (retired), Jack Mahony (delisted), Ben McKay (Essendon), Flynn Perez (delisted), Phoenix Spicer (delisted), Kayne Turner (delisted), Lachie Young (delisted), Jack Ziebell (retired), Tarryn Thomas

Five key fixtures

Round 1 v Greater Western Sydney

A season-opening trip to Greater Western Sydney awaits the Roos, who will be eager to win their Round 1 fixture for the second straight year.

Toppling the Giants won't be easy though, with Adam Kingsley's troops eyeing another deep finals run in 2024, following September's visit to the preliminary finals.

Cam Zurhaar is also expected to notch the 100-game milestone, having been left stranded on 99 League appearances after an ankle ruled him out for the last six games in 2023.

Round 3 v Carlton (Good Friday SuperClash)

Following last year's sold-out showpiece, North Melbourne will again host the Blues in the Good Friday SuperClash on March 29.

Despite the pluck of the Kangas, who held the lead at the main break when the sides met last season, Carlton proved too strong and took away a 23-point win.

It stands as an early chance for Alastair Clarkson's group to make a statement in a standalone Friday afternoon game against a club with top-four aspirations.

Round 10 v Essendon

A storied rivalry will see another chapter written in Round 10 when the Dons and Roos face off at Marvel Stadium.

North Melbourne came close to knocking off Essendon on both occasions last season. Aiming to provide Ben Cunnington with a fairytale send-off, the Kangas fell short by nine points in Round 22, while a late Massimo D'Ambrosio goal was the difference maker in the Round 12 meeting.

It could also be the first time two Duursmas lock horns at the game's highest level, after North Melbourne picked up Zane in the 2023 draft and the Bombers secured Xavier from the Power during the most recent trade period.

Round 13 v West Coast

Both fixtures between the Roos and Eagles in 2023 went down to the wire, with each club triumphing on their home turf by five points.

As both clubs look to begin their ascent up the AFL ladder, Round 13 in Perth shapes as an intriguing contest between the youngest side in the competition (North Melbourne) and the third youngest (West Coast).

Round 15 v Melbourne

The Kangas will need to wait until late June for their only home-and-away-season venture to the MCG.

They'll face the Dees in primetime on a Saturday night for the second straight year, which poses as not only a challenging test on a big stage, but an opportunity to rectify what transpired in Round 7 a season ago.

Full fixture

All times are AEDT/AEST

Round 1: GWS @ GIANTS Stadium, Saturday March 16, 4.35pm (Away)
Round 2: Fremantle @ Marvel Stadium, Saturday March 23, 1.45pm (Home)
Round 3: Carlton @ Marvel Stadium, Friday March 29, 4.20pm (Home)
Round 4: Brisbane @ Norwood Oval, Friday April 5, 5.10pm (Away)
Round 5: Geelong @ GMHBA Stadium, Sunday April 14, 1pm (Away)
Round 6: Hawthorn @ Marvel Stadium, Sunday April 21, 4pm (Home)
Round 7: Adelaide @ Blundstone Arena, Saturday April 27, 1.45pm (Home)
Round 8: St Kilda @ Marvel Stadium, Saturday May 4, 4.35pm (Away)
Round 9: Gold Coast @ TIO Stadium, Saturday May 11, 7.30pm (Away)
Round 10: Essendon @ Marvel Stadium, Sunday May 19, 1.10pm (Away)
Round 11: Port Adelaide @ Blundstone Arena, Saturday May 25, 1.45pm (Home)
Round 12: BYE
Round 13: West Coast @ Optus Stadium, Saturday June 8, 4.35pm (Away)
Round 14: Collingwood @ Marvel Stadium, Sunday June 16, 1pm (Home)
Round 15: Melbourne @ MCG, Saturday June 22, 7.30pm (Away)
Round 16: Western Bulldogs @ Marvel Stadium (Home)
Round 17: Gold Coast @ Marvel Stadium (Home)
Round 18: Sydney @ SCG (Away)
Round 19: Carlton @ Marvel Stadium (Away)
Round 20: Geelong @ Blundstone Arena (Home)
Round 21: Richmond @ Marvel Stadium (Home)
Round 22: West Coast @ Blundstone Arena (Home)
Round 23: Western Bulldogs @ Marvel Stadium (Away)
Round 24: Hawthorn @ UTAS Stadium (Away)

Keep an eye on…

Backline – Zac Fisher

The experienced recruit from Carlton hasn't taken long to seamlessly settle into North Melbourne's defensive structure.

The half-back was a standout for the Roos in their AAMI Community Series match against the Saints, finishing with a game-high 36 disposals, eight rebounds and six marks.

With plenty of dash and creativity, he's one to watch closely throughout the year.

Midfield – George Wardlaw

With senior eight games under his belt and a full pre-season, Wardlaw is primed to explode in his sophomore campaign.

The powerful no.6 laid a game-high 12 tackles at RSEA Park against St Kilda last weekend, attacking the ball and opponent with intent and ferocity at every turn.

He'll be a key midfield cog for the Kangas, alongside teammates Luke Davies-Uniacke, Jy Simpkin, Tom Powell, Will Phillips and Charlie Lazzaro. 

Forward line – Cam Zurhaar

After missing the last six games of the 2023 season, Zurhaar will be champing at the bit to get rolling when the team heads up to GIANTS Stadium.

The dynamic forward has hinted at being deployed in the midfield for longer periods this season, and proved a solid contributor when he was tried there throughout stages of 2023, most notably in Round 2's win over the Dockers.

A player who can break the game open with his strength and explosiveness, 'Bull' might be about to recapture some of his best form.