With North’s first match of the 2015 NAB Challenge just 26 days away, NMFC.com.au looks at to what fans can look forward to in this year’s pre-season hit-outs.

NORTH’S 2015 NAB CHALLENGE FIXTURE
Game 1 v Adelaide – Sunday, March 1 at Centenary Oval, Port Lincoln (4:10pm CDT)
Game 2 v Hawthorn – Sunday, March 8 at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton (4:40pm EDT)
Game 3 v Richmond – Saturday, March 21 at Etihad Stadium (1:10pm EDT)

THE RULES
Players
In games one and two, pre-season rules allow for teams to use 26 players – 18 on the field, six players on the interchange bench and two substitutes.

In game three, teams will consist of 24 players – 18 on the field with four interchange players and two substitutes.

Time
Each quarter will run for 20 minutes in games one and two.

The first 15 minutes of each term will have no time-on except after goals, while the last five minutes of each quarter will have time-on.

Unlike the first two matches, the quarters in game three will be timed as per the regular premiership season, with 20 minutes plus time-on.

Interchange cap
The number of interchange rotations won’t be capped in the opening two games.

There is an interchange cap of 120 in game three, not including any rotations that can be made in the breaks between quarters.

Scoring
The nine-point ‘super goal’ will be awarded for a goal kicked outside 50m for all NAB Challenge matches.

The traditional six points for a regular goal (within the 50m arc) and one point for a behind will remain the same.

A player awarded a 50m penalty or downfield free kick which takes him from outside to inside the 50m arc can choose to either kick from outside 50 for nine points or kick from inside 50 for six points.

Breaks
There will be six-minute breaks at quarter-time and three-quarter time and a 20-minute rest at half-time.

NORTH PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jarrad Waite and Shaun Higgins donning the North colours for the first time this pre-season campaign is certain to attract plenty of attention.

The Roos could unveil their new-look forward structure with Waite, Drew Petrie, Aaron Black, Ben Brown, Majak Daw, Mason Wood, Lindsay Thomas, Kayne Turner, Robbie Nahas and perhaps draftee Sam Durdin all out to make a good early impression.

Another player of interest is defender Joel Tippett. The 26-year-old, who has added 6kg this pre-season and 11kg since joining the club at the end of 2013, hopes to match the power forwards in one-on-one contests this season.

Forward-turned-defender Robbie Tarrant is also aiming to put his injury troubles behind him.

GAMES TO WATCH
The Kangaroos will play their first competitive game of 2015 against Adelaide in South Australia.

It all starts in Lindsay Thomas’s hometown of Port Lincoln, which is approximately seven hours drive from Adelaide, and the small forward is eager to be fully fit and take on the Crows.

North faces Hawthorn in its second NAB Challenge match in what looms as an intriguing battle in more ways than one.

Expect some tension between Drew Petrie and Brian Lake should they take part in the match.

Few will forget Lake’s infamous third-quarter chokehold and brain fade on Petrie in round 16 last season.

It will also be interesting to see where the Kangaroos rank against the reigning premier. Can they back up an impressive win late in 2014?

North’s third game – against Richmond – will be its first match at Etihad Stadium for the year.

KICK-TO-KICK
Fans will have the chance to take part in a post-match kick-to-kick at every game across the opening three weeks of the NAB Challenge (following games one and two).

TICKETS
AFL and club members with game access will have free general admission entry to their club’s NAB Challenge matches (subject to availability, upgrade fees may be applicable).

Tickets for each of the games can be purchased through Ticketek and Ticketmaster.