North Melbourne were a picture of disappointment in season 2022 and will be hoping to build on a dismal performance that generated two wins, in a year where the Roos' faithful had little to cheer about.
The off-season period has been filled with promise on the other hand, starting with the appointment of new head coach Alastair Clarkson, assuming the role from the outgoing David Noble.
More good news followed with a fruitful trade period welcoming a pair of Fremantle Dockers to Arden Street, along with the National Draft securing the services of a number of young talented rising star hopefuls.
With boxes ticked from a list management point of view, the attention will no doubt be turned to bettering their on-field aspects, as a mountain of work is required to exit the rebuild phase.
Learning the game plan of a proven senior coach in Clarkson is the number one priority on the board for North's players, with fans of the blue and white stripes wanting more of a taste of success this year.
Ins: Blake Drury, Hamish Free, Brayden George, Cooper Harvey, Daniel Howe, Griffin Logue, Harry Sheezel, Darcy Tucker, George Wardlaw, Liam Shiels
Outs: Jed Anderson (delisted), Atu Bosenavulagi (delisted), Kyron Hayden (delisted), Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide Power), Tom Lynch (retired), Matthew McGuinness (delisted), Jared Polec (delisted), Josh Walker (delisted), Patrick Walker (delisted)
Here we assess North Melbourne's depth chart for 2023 and name their best 23-man side.
DEFENDERS
Defensive pillar Ben Mckay assumed the role of attempting to nullify the opposition's best forward, standing up valiantly, often as the glue that held their back six setup together last season.
Pressure will be alleviated from Mckay with fellow defender and new recruit Griffin Logue joining him at Arden street, moving from Fremantle after a deal was reached during the trade period.
Logue brings with him leadership qualities amongst experience that will help shape a young, eager-to-learn defensive spine, under the watchful eyes of newly appointed senior coach Alastair Clarkson.
21-year-old Flynn Perez will be hoping 2023 is the year he cements a spot in his accustomed small defender role, tasked with the job of shutting down the live wire types week in and week out.
Luke McDonald has remained a stalwart for the Kangaroos for near on a decade, playing as an intercepting half back, he will be called upon again to stand up in the blue and white stripes.
One of a number of candidates worthy of taking up the captaincy favours off the hands of Jack Ziebell, McDonald is recognised as a staple piece in their lineup and a true professional.
Rebounding defender Aaron Hall is set to hold down the fort in the running half-back position, with a game plan able to be drawn up based on the efforts of the brave ball user, turning defence into offence.
MIDFIELDERS
Emerging talent Bailey Scott was a shining light in a year that culminated with a third-place Syd Barker Medal finish, with the feat both recognising and highlighting a positive 2022 campaign for the young Roo.
The hard-running wingman will link up withrecruit Darcy Tucker on neighbouring sides of the ground, with the pair both pigeonholed as first starters in the North outfit.
Tucker, who parted ways with WA-based side Fremantle, will relish the opportunity of regular minutes, often sitting on the fringe for the Dockers, with injury troubles not helping in the slightest.
Luke Davies-Uniacke or 'LDU' as his commonly known with the Roos faithful, is a crowd favourite and promises to be a giant of our game, with much of North's bright future attached to him reaching his potential.
Another name North fans proudly wear on their back is Jy Simpkin, with his ceiling as lofty as his partner in crime LDU, the two in the engine room are automatic selections.
Ever-reliable tall Todd Goldstein will be challenged again to compete at the highest level, working as a versatile ruckman covering all parts of the ground in support of a youthful midfield brigade, while the baton could be passed to Tristan Xerri in 2023.
Ben Cunnington, the feel-good story of 2022 after returning from a second bout of testicular cancer, the senor Roo will warm the hearts of many, not just North fans, but AFL fans in general with every minute he plays this year.
The now 31-year-old will free up space for his counterparts as a big-bodied inclusion heading into 2023, with his tenacity and hunger set to be a competitive advantage over his rivals.
High draft hope George Wardlaw will be hoping to break into the best 23 at North Melbourne in the earliest of conveniences, strapping up the boots as a ready-made onballer who has a chance of appearing at the club's season opener.
FORWARDS
The preseason of Jaidyn Stephenson has been hampered by injury, which justified his slow start to the year, but with a trouble-free lead-up this year, the role of high half-forward is reserved with his name.
Stephenson struggled to find consistency in his game through 2022, with the 24-year-old utilised as the swingman, jostling forward and back to patch the holes of missing soldiers in those areas.
Curtis Taylor looks set to resume his role on the opposing flank with he and Stephenson working in tandem as agile counterparts, as Nick Larkey will presumably be sandwiched between the pair at centre-half forward.
Larkey's time at North has spanned a handful of years now, with the key forward further looking to stamp his class by showing continual signs of growth ahead of the upcoming season.
A tall-timbered partnership with Callum Coleman-Jones is on the cards, with the potential full forward hoping to wrestle the spot away from the 199cm Charlie Comben, who still remains a fighting chance.
The selection headache is something the Roos boast on the offensive side of things, with teammates knocking down the door and keeping those in the hot seat on their toes and in check.
Cam Zurhaar is poised to have another strong year, still only scratching the surface of what he is capable of, the 'Bull' is tipped to be a shoe-in for their best 23 as he stares down 100 majors at the top level.
The aforementioned veteran in Jack Ziebell enjoyed a switch from his sacrificial role in the Roos back six, with his ability to mould into a player that aligns with the team's interests, slotting forward this year.
With Clarkson now in control of the magnets as to where Ziebell best fits, the 31-year-old, as made evident last year, has proven to be interchangeable and adaptable in the face of adversity.
Harry Sheezel will throw his hat in the ring to be pencilled in for Round 1 after being selected with the Roos' first pick in the draft, the 18-year-old is set to come with an abundance of X-factor.
Best 23
B: Aidan Corr, Ben McKay, Flynn Perez
HB: Luke McDonald, Griffin Logue, Aaron Hall
C: Bailey Scott, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Darcy Tucker
HF: Jaidyn Stephenson, Nick Larkey, Curtis Taylor
F: Paul Curtis, Callum Coleman-Jones, Cam Zurhaar
Foll: Tristan Xerri, Ben Cunnington, Jy Simpkin
I/C: Jack Ziebell, Will Phillips, Harry Sheezel, Hugh Greenwood
SUB: Jackson Archer
Emerg: Todd Goldstein, George Wardlaw, Tom Powell
We've picked our side, now it's time for you to pick yours with our PICK YOUR TEAM page.
