ARRIVALS: Ben Brown, Nick Dal Santo, Trent Dumont, Luke McDonald, Robin Nahas, Joel Tippett, Kayne Turner
DEPARTURES: Luke Delaney, Jordan Gysberts, Ayden Kennedy, Ben Mabon, Cameron Richardson, Will Sierakowski, Ben Speight
BEST 22
MEDICAL ROOM
PASS MARK FOR 2014: Although a finals appearance will probably keep the critics at bay, North should be aiming a little higher. A top-six finish and their first finals win since 2007 would be a good springboard for the Roos to target bigger things from 2015.
NEEDS A BIG YEAR: Kieran Harper. Had had the third-year blues in 2013 with injury and form limiting him to three games. But the forward/midfielder is a prodigious talent and just the player the Roos need to step up to take the outside load off Brent Harvey and Daniel Wells.
FIRST FIVE GAMES: Essendon (ES), Western Bulldogs (ES), Port Adelaide (ES), Sydney Swans (SCG), Collingwood (MCG)
PLAY TWICE: Geelong, Adelaide, Brisbane Lions, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne
TOUGHEST RUN: After a relatively friendly early fixture, the Roos face a month that could shape their season. Starting from round 10, they have away fixtures against Geelong and West Coast, a clash against growing rival Richmond (albeit at their Etihad Stadium stronghold) and another away game against Adelaide.
DREAM SCENARIO: If the Roos can add defensive intent and composure under pressure to their renowned scoring power, there's no reason why they can't finish in the top-four.
WORST NIGHTMARE: North does not heed the lessons of 2013 and again blows its finals chances with a string of close losses, calling into question whether its post-2008 generation will ever take over the baton from Harvey, Petrie, Wells and co.
