The wait is almost over.

North Melbourne heads to Sydney’s west on Saturday to launch its 2024 AFL season against a firing Greater Western Sydney outfit.

While 2023’s preliminary finalists are riding high after a big Opening Round win, Alastair Clarkson’s young Roos will hope to capitalise on their pre-season momentum as they unleash draftees Colby McKercher (pick No.2) and Zane (pick No.4) for their first AFL games.

Round 1, GWS Giants v North Melbourne 

Where: ENGIE Stadium, NSW (formerly GIANTS Stadium)
When: Saturday, March 16 at 4.35pm AEDT
How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo Sports

The opposition 

Greater Western Sydney got its season off to the perfect start as one of the four teams to triumph in Opening Round, downing reigning premiers Collingwood by 32 points in front of a home crowd.

The 'Orange Tsunami' was in full effect after half-time as Adam Kingsley's group surged to victory, spearheaded by forwards Jesse Hogan, Callum Brown, and Brent Daniels, who combined for 13 goals.

It's going to be a solid test for the Roos' new-look backline, but an opportunity for the contingent to make an early statement.

What the coaches have said

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson on Tuesday: "What every team in the competition wants to have is potent weapons everywhere. For Toby Greene to have a lower impact (in Opening Round) than what he usually would have, yet they (GWS) still beat the reigning premier by five goals [is significant]. [Brayden] Maynard did a pretty good job keeping Toby out of the game, but then three or four others pop up and that's utopia for a coach and a footy club. So, our challenge is to make sure our defence is working well enough to cover all those options."

GWS coach Adam Kingsley post-game v Collingwood: "The fact that we didn't rely on one or two players [to kick goals was pleasing]. We had a real mixture of goalkickers, we spread the love. It was great to see Callum Brown capitalise on some of the opportunities he's been getting in front of goals ... [Brent Daniels] is a beautiful finisher, and the pressure he applied would have created a lot of goals too."

Bull on parade

After being left stranded on 99 League appearances in 2023 due to an ankle injury, Cam Zurhaar finally gets the chance to bring up the ton on Saturday afternoon.

A bruising forward who can hit the scoreboard and get involved higher up the ground, North Melbourne's No.44 has spent seven years on the list after being selected with the 11th pick of the 2016 Rookie Draft.

Clarkson said on Tuesday the 25-year-old can become a "special player" in the near future, and Roos fans will be hoping this is the year that 'Bull' can take his game to another level.