North Melbourne will be one of the hardest teams to tag in 2015, according to media commentator and former premiership player David King.

King believes the emergence of the club’s younger midfielders and the acquisition of experienced stars via free agency means North has a variety of players that need stopping and there’ll be less reliance on Brent Harvey and Daniel Wells.

“They are going to be a hard team to tag this year – you can’t stop (Ben) Cunnington getting the ball, you can’t stop (Andrew) Swallow getting first hands in it, and now they’ve fattened that area on the periphery.

“They won 14 games (in 2014) and I can’t see them taking a step backward this year,” he said.

“They’ve improved as a list and it’s been a methodical build by Brad Scott and the crew down there.”

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Former Blue Jarrad Waite has been tipped by many to be pivotal to North’s chances this year.

“Waite for me has had an amazing pre-season,” King said.

“Does he play all 22 games this year? Probably not. They’ll probably target 15 games and maybe have a rest through some games they should win. Maybe don’t play him in some games for the full game… maybe he’s the sub more often than not.

“They’ve just got to get into a finals’ campaign. (Drew) Petrie has needed help down there. (Aaron) Black’s been a good player, Ben Brown had a good patch last year, but they are not your Jarrad Waite.

“Jarrad Waite can tear games apart in a short period of time.”

Having made an impact as a resting forward in 2014, Jack Ziebell is also tipped to have a big year.

“He’s had the sort of pre-season that you crave. He looks lean, he’s lost four, five, six kilos for me,” King said.

“He’ll be able to run out games rather than spend more time on the bench than any other player in the competition in the last two years.

“He looks fit. That will have him making a great impact I think.”

King highlighted North’s defence as an area that could be of concern.

“The jury’s out. (Nathan) Grima’s gone down with injury, so (Joel) Tippett will get opportunity, but they’ve got to defend by system,” he said.

“You are not going to win games by winning contests on the last line down back.

“(Tom) Hawkins nearly stole the game (Semi Final) last year in that final with a 20 minute burst.

“I think if (Robbie) Tarrant can stand up and they can get some good football out of Tippett, they are a long way down the path.”

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After bowing out in the Preliminary Final last year, King said he is confident North can go one step further.

“I think that they are winning 16 or more games this year.

“I think they can win it (the Premiership) this year, and I don’t think it would be a pinch.”