It’s a new year and with it comes a heightened sense of optimism and expectation at Arden Street following a successful 2014 season.

The team at NMFC.com.au has taken a look at what fans should be most excited about in 2015.

What are you most looking forward to? Have your say in the comments section below.

Game breakers
If the veteran doesn’t miss a game, Brent Harvey will crack 400 games against Brisbane in round 17, while another stalwart, Nick Dal Santo, will notch his 300th a week earlier in round 16 against Essendon. Defender Michael Firrito is closing in on 250, Jarrad Waite is approaching 200, and Todd Goldstein and Shaun Higgins are both nearing 150 games. In other milestones, Nathan Grima, Shaun Atley, Sam Wright and Robbie Nahas are edging closer to 100, while Ben Jacobs, Kieran Harper, Robbie Tarrant, Aaron Black and Aaron Mullett are approaching 50 games.

Emotional Encounters
Don’t expect too many cheers from Carlton fans when Jarrad Waite takes on his former side for the first time in round 18 at Etihad Stadium. The 31-year-old joined as an unrestricted free agent after 13 years at the Blues. Another unrestricted free agent, Shaun Higgins, will have to wait until round 21 to face his old side, the Bulldogs.

First timers
With the addition of experienced duo Jarrad Waite and Shaun Higgins, draftees Sam Durdin (pick No. 16), Daniel Nielson (pick No. 25) and Ed Vickers-Willis (pick No. 36), and rookies Braydon Preuss and Will Fordham, plenty of new faces will potentially don our guernsey for the first time in 2015. Outside of the new crop, Trent Dumont and Eric Wallace are the only players yet to debut for the club.

New digs
We feature at Hobart’s newly redeveloped Blundstone Arena on three occasions this year – with games in round six against Richmond, round 10 against West Coast and round 20 against St Kilda. The three matches will be a great spectacle for all AFL followers as we continue to fortify our partnership with Tasmania in front of bigger, sell-out crowds.

Going one better
We may have missed out on securing a spot in the Grand Final after falling to the Sydney Swans in the preliminary final, but here’s hoping we can go one better. We get a chance at redemption against the Swans in round 11 at Etihad and the clash marks the first and only time we meet in the home and away season.

Hoodoo
Gold Coast prevailed in our last two encounters – winning by 43 points at Etihad Stadium in round seven last season and by 15 points at Metricon Stadium in round 11, 2013. We play the Suns in round 14 at Metricon Stadium and will be hoping to get one back and keep Gary quiet.

Go west
For the first time in a long time, we only have to travel to Patersons Stadium on just one occasion this year. Yay! The single journey west won’t worry us too much though, having defeated Fremantle (round six) and West Coast (round 11) in Perth last season.

Home stand
We can expect blockbuster home matches against the Cats (round 15) and Bombers (round 16), with both games attracting an exciting brand of football during the finals series. Another mouth-watering clash will take place in round five when we face the reigning premier Hawthorn (round five).

No choke
All eyes will be on Drew Petrie and Brian Lake in round five when the boys face Hawthorn. Lake’s infamous chokehold and brain fade in round 16 last year made international headlines and it remains to be seen if there’s any hostility between the pair.

Friday night lights
We’ve been handed just two Friday night matches at Etihad Stadium – both against Essendon. Pencil rounds seven and 17 in your diary. To make up for it, we feature in seven increasingly popular Saturday night matches.

Young gun
Ben Cunnington will start the year by notching his 100-game milestone against Adelaide. The 23-year-old was instrumental through the midfield last year, averaging 22 disposals and capping off his year in the middle by winning our best and fairest. We will relish the opportunity to watch this young gun continue to step up and become one of our most important players.

Jack on the attack
He was Brad Scott’s secret weapon and Jack Ziebell will again be aiming to contribute on the scoreboard. He booted 18 goals last season, including 12 goals in the last nine games of the year. If he can continue to add to his goalkicking tally, our midfield and forward stocks will be given a significant boost.

Bigger and better
Defender Joel Tippett has added 6kg to his frame this pre-season and a total of 11kg since joining the club at the end of 2013. After making his North debut last year and playing four consecutive games, a right pectoral injury hampered his campaign. Tippett is determined to match up against the power forwards of the competition this year and we’ll be relying on him to make a difference down back.

Big hits
He’s one of the lightest players in the competition but Kayne Turner made a big impact in his debut year. In round 20 the teenager outmuscled GWS Giants’ co-captain Phil Davis with a heavy bump that saw the defender taken from the ground. He followed up in round 22 with a game changing hit on Rory Laird. Turner’s fearlessness for the contest has become a real asset and we don’t expect the now 19-year-old to change his ways.

Filling the hole
Fingers crossed Lachlan Hansen can overcome the hip and groin niggles that interrupted his 2014 season. The 26-year-old didn’t feature in any finals action due to injury and enters the year with extra motivation. One of the game’s best intercept players, the defender should solidify his key role down back.

Hair apparent
Just like his presence in attack, Brown’s big head of hair got the football world talking. The 200cm big man kicked 18 goals in his 11 appearances last season and he became an instant cult figure. Nicknamed ‘side show’, it’s a great sight having him fire in front of goals.

Fashions on the field
Fluorescent shoes are in and no one likes wearing them more than Nick Dal Santo. The veteran has always taken pride in his appearance and his footwear has become a real highlight. In round 12 against Richmond, the 30-year-old raised eyebrows with different coloured boots (one aqua and one pink). What will form part of his shoe collection this season?

Forward thinking
Our potential new-look forward structure will cause a few headaches for rival teams and the match committee. New recruit Jarrad Waite is now in the mix, along with Drew Petrie, Aaron Black, Robbie Tarrant, Ben Brown, Majak Daw, Mason Wood and perhaps draftee Sam Durdin. Who would you pick?

A new membership record
After reaching 40,000 members for the first time, we’re already on track to set a new record. Just under 25,000 members have signed up so far with the club aiming for 45,000.

‘Our Icon’ version 2.0
Our amazing jumper ‘Our Icon’, was released last year and became the AFL’s most popular and biggest selling indigenous themed uniform. Canterbury will be working with brilliant artist Sarrita King in time for the Indigenous Round in round nine. While the concept will remain the same, look out for some small design changes.

All Australians
With no All Australian representatives last year, we’ll be hoping it’s a different story in 2015. Despite finishing sixth on the ladder and fourth for the year after finals, only one of our players, Brent Harvey, made the preliminary 40-man squad.

Tagged and bagged
Believe it or not, even at the ripe old age of 36, Brent Harvey is still getting tagged every single game. That trend is set to continue with the veteran going around again. Docker Ryan Crowley, Bulldog Liam Picken, Blue Ed Curnow, Pie Brent Macaffer have all tried to slow him down but who else will try to negate Boomer’s influence?

Are you kidding?
Michael Firrito’s may never live his widely broadcast argument with umpire Chris Donlon down. The uncharacteristic outburst occurred in the second quarter of North’s round 20 clash against GWS and caused quite a stir. We can’t wait to see his reaction when the first whistle of next season goes against him.

Pride on the line
When we take on Brisbane in round two, tempers may flare again. Last time, North was beaten comprehensively after dominating the first quarter and there was controversy at the final siren when Tom Rockliff sprayed Brent Harvey.

Rising Star
After playing just two games in his debut season in 2013, Taylor Garner hasn’t managed another game following persistent hamstring and hip problems. If the 20-year-old young forward can overcome his luckless run, then he could be a surprise packet on the field and an instant fan favourite.

Celebrating the past
Forty years on, we get to mark the club’s first premiership in 1975. Past players and officials will be invited back to Arden Street throughout the year and the club will celebrate the history making occasion in style in round five against Hawthorn.