When it comes to North Melbourne, more consistency is needed across the board according to The Age’s football expert, Rohan Connolly.

Despite two consecutive preliminary finals appearances, only three high profile tipsters have the Roos in the frame for a Grand Final berth, while a dozen-or-so others didn’t even have the side in their top eight calculations.

“The pre-season prognosticating has been done, and a feature of it has been a marked lack of enthusiasm for North's chances of going a step or two better this season,” Connolly wrote on Friday.

“Inconsistency is the single biggest factor separating the Roos from finals and flag contenders, and it applies on a team and individual level...”

Connolly believes some of North’s experienced players need to be more predictable in their actions and decision making.

“North Melbourne's chances of reaching the Hawks' level rest upon a large band of senior players making them more often … the gap between their best and worst performances is sizeable.

“That lack of dependability doesn't make coach Brad Scott's job any easier … It means Scott's job this year isn't so much about rectifying a specific area of weakness, as eliciting an across-the-board improvement from a number of individuals.

“Even a little of that spread across a substantial group could make all the difference to North Melbourne pulling up a couple of wins short and going all the way. But until it comes, the Roos will remain the enigma of the AFL's top order.”

Do you agree with Rohan’s summation of North? Leave your comments below.