New captain Luke McDonald has rarely felt this optimistic ahead of an AFL season as North Melbourne aim to build on wholesale changes around the club.
The hierarchy at Arden St is unrecognisable from 12 months ago, with coach Alastair Clarkson announced in August and chair Sonja Hood arriving last March.
Jennifer Watt was appointed chief executive late last year and Clarkson’s long-time lieutenant Todd Viney has taken over as North’s football department boss.
North finished bottom last year with only two wins, but McDonald said there is no ceiling on what the young Kangaroos can achieve this season.
“Just the attitude that Clarko has brought in (and) a few of the people, like Todd Viney … (assistant coach) Brett Ratten,” McDonald said.
“They’ve instilled some great stability in the club.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
“Clarko, he’s won four premierships, so he knows how to do it, he knows what it takes. Everyone is on board.
“Clearly, we’ve learned a new game plan … it’s probably the most optimistic I’ve been, in terms of the position we’re in, for a number of years.”
Apart from the obvious room for improvement on the field, North also have their issues on the other side of the fence.
Clarkson awaits the resolution of an investigation into claims of racism when he was coach at Hawthorn.
Dr Hood revealed earlier this month that she has been diagnosed with cancer, but her prognosis is good.
McDonald played every game last season and finished fifth in North’s best and fairest voting before being appointed captain.
He only managed 11 games the season before because of injury and said it was important to regain some form before putting his hand up for the captaincy.
“It’s always an ambition, I reckon, when you first get to a club,” he said.
“The guys you usually look up to are the captains and leaders.
“But the No. 1 thing … was to get my footy in order and play some consistent football, because … you can’t really lead without doing it on the park.
“I’m most proud because it’s voted on by your teammates and you ask any footballer, the biggest respect they crave is (from) your teammates.”
North were in Bendigo on Monday for a community camp and also went to nearby Rochester, which suffered extensive damage in last October’s flooding.
The Kangaroos hosted a group of Rochester schoolchildren late last year for a football clinic and North’s Nick Larkey said “we wanted to return the favour”.
Former North player Shaun Atley and his family have extensive Rochester connections.
“He’s probably in the Rochester hall of fame,” McDonald said.
© AAP
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