"I joined the camp at a similar time last year after the guys had done a lot of the hiking and there is a real difference in their attitudes this time around," he told kangaroos.com.au.
"I felt that last year, they'd almost had enough and were looking forward to getting home. I almost had to play the role of chief motivator trying to get them up for the second half of the trip.
"Some of them were getting homesick and they'd found the training at altitude really tough."
It's not the case this time though and Crocker believes there's a newfound maturity and resilience within the group.
"It just seems that this year they've adapted a hell of a lot better and they've trained a lot harder. That means that for the next two weeks, we should be able to get some real quality work into them because they're nowhere near the mental and physical fatigue they were at the same time last year."
In charge of the midfield, Crocker has been particularly impressed with some of his players.
"Jack Ziebell seems to have gone to another level again and he's someone that seems to thrive on this sort of stuff.
"Cruize Garlett? - I can't believe the transformation in his body from the end of last season to now. He's gone away and really looked after himself. He came to Utah earlier than we expected just to adapt. He's doing really well and his body shape has really changed.
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While fitness is a large component, Crocker says the positives of a camp like this are wide-spread and hard to put a value on.
"Obviously training at altitude is one benefit, but being able to take the team away and have the players living together for close to four weeks, you just don't get that closeness in Melbourne. I played in a different era where you could create that bonding after games and these days it's very hard because the next game is upon them before they know it.
"To be able to take them out of their normal environment with no distractions and have that team bonding aspect is fantastic. The other great benefit is living an elite lifestyle. We're really trying to teach them what an elite athlete's lifestyle is really like."
While the team is showing great signs on the field, it's a similar story off the field with the coaching department heading into its third year together.
Despite being headhunted in the off-season, Crocker says he was never going to leave and the reason is simple - unfinished business.
"I'm really excited about the future here, I had no intention of leaving North Melbourne. I love the place and I've really enjoyed the last two years working with the coaching staff and working under Brad. I think we're on the cusp of some really exciting times.
"I wasn't looking to go anywhere but an offer came through from GWS that was a really good offer, but I'm just so rapt to be staying here after signing a new contract."
North Melbourne staff and players will be tweeting from Utah. Search the hashtag #utahroos or visit twitter.com/northkangaroos for updates.
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