Bye week offers a chance to reflect on the season so far, and while 2022 certainly hasn't gone to plan for the Kangaroos there will be plenty of opportunities to make the second half of the year a memorable one. 

Plenty of individuals on North Melbourne's list have showcased strong improvements to their game, whether it be seasoned veterans or new Roos.

North Media looks at some key metrics from the season so far.

The big improvers

Bailey Scott

After his 2019 debut, Bailey Scott quickly established himself as a threatening option on the wing for the Kangaroos. This season though he's re-invented himself as a classy defender coming out of North's back line.

He's often shown the application and ability to play more defensive roles, with his experience of playing as a defensive forward or tagger lending itself well to this positional change.

Coming out of the back line Scott can utilise his effective kick and strong decision making more than ever before, and his teammates higher up the field are benefitting from the young star's improvement.

2021: 12.8 disposals, 3.1 marks, 2.4 clangers, 0.9 intercepts, 176.2 metres gained  per game - 75.1 per cent disposal efficiency
2022: 18 disposals, 5.2 marks, 1.9 clangers, 3.6 intercepts, 309.5 metres gained per game - 80.3 per cent disposal efficiency

Tristan Xerri

Taking over from Todd Goldstein as North's primary ruck in most games this year, the Kangaroos have started to look to the future in the middle of the ground and it's paying dividends for Tristan Xerri.

Now in his fifth season at the club, Xerri has been a slow and steady developer, but has played ten of a possible 12 games this season to embed himself in the side.

2021: 7.5 disposals, 2.1 tackles, 7.4 hitouts, 0.8 clearances, 0.8 intercepts, 2.1 score involvements per game - 60 per cent disposal efficiency 
2022: 10.1 disposals, 21.8 hitouts, 2.5 clearances, 1.4 intercepts, 2.7 score involvements per game - 69.3 per cent disposal efficiency

Lachie Young 

One of a raft of new signings ahead of the 2021 season, Lachie Young spent last year in and out of the side.

This year though he's been one of the Kangaroos' most consistent performers of the year and is capable of playing in the back line, on the wing or even forward if need be.

2021: 11.2 disposals, 3.9 marks, 1.5 tackles, 2.8 one per centers, 184.8 metres gained per game - 72 per cent disposals efficiency
2022: 14.5 disposals, 4.5 marks, 1.7 tackles, 4.4 one per centers, 291.1 metres gained per game - 80.3 per cent disposal efficiency 

The leading goalkickers

It's no surprise that, once again, Nick Larkey and Cam Zurhaar lead the Kangaroos' goalkicking charts. They are, of course, the two main options the midfield search for when sending the ball inside 50.

Larkey leads all comers with 20 goals for the season, with the injured Zurhaar hot on his heels with 15. After them it's a pair of veterans, Todd Goldstein with 11 goals and Jack Ziebell with ten who have been making strong impacts in their recent role changes.

Jy Simpkin rounds out the top five and looks to have added goals to his game this year, with first-year forward Paul Curtis also impressing with four goals so far this year.

The top five (so far)
Nick Larkey (20)
Cam Zurhaar (15)
Todd Goldstein (11)
Jack Ziebell (10)
Jy Simpkin (6)

The new Shinboners

New seasons bring the excitement of seeing new players represent the club, and this season the Kangaroos have blooded five new Shinboners, with three of those playing their first ever games in AFL colours.

Only four clubs have blooded more new players this season than the Kangaroos. Carlton, Port Adelaide, St Kilda and West Coast.

Jason Horne-Francis and Hugh Greenwood have been the most consistently seen at AFL-level this season, while Paul Curtis has quickly made himself an indispensible part of the Kangaroos' forward line. 

Miller Bergman will be hoping to build on his short debut next season after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, while off-season recruit Callum Coleman-Jones is pushing hard for a senior recall.

The other Kangaroos who could make their first appearances for the club later in the season are, in number order, Josh Goater, Jacob Edwards, Patrick Walker, Jackson Archer, Matt McGuinness and Kallan Dawson.

New Shinboner numbers
Callum Coleman-Jones #1039
Hugh Greenwood #1040
Jason Horne-Francis #1041
Paul Curtis #1042
Miller Bergman #1043

The milestone men

Jack Ziebell - 250 games

The skipper became just the 12th player to register the 250 game milestone with North Melbourne when he led the side out against St Kilda in Round 11.

Now sitting on 252 career games, Ziebell will have to wait a few weeks to add to his tally after being sidelined with a facial fracture picked up in the game against GWS.

Aaron Hall, Luke McDonald - 150 games

A spiritual leader of North Melbourne, Luke McDonald joined Aaron Hall in playing his 150th game in Round 13, however he'll have his eye on the back end of the season for game 156.

Recruited as a father-son prospect in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, McDonald now needs to play just six more games to surpass his father, 1984 North Melbourne leading goalkicker Donald McDonald.

Stranded on 149 games for almost two months, Aaron Hall returned from a hamstring injury to register his 150th AFL appearance in Round 13 against the Giants.

Of those first 150 games, 46 have been played at North Melbourne, with the rest being played at the Gold Coast.

Jy Simpkin - 100 games

The co-vice captain and reigning Syd Barker Medal winner showcases so much maturity and class that it feels like he's a 200-game veteran. It can be easy to forget Jy Simpkin is still just 24 years of age and played his 100th game in Round 5.

While the result against the Bulldogs was a difficult one, it was great to celebrate such an impressive milestone from a future leader of the club.

Tarryn Thomas - 50 games

One of the silkiest players on the list, Tarryn Thomas racked up 50 senior appearances in Round 6 against Geelong. The milestone marked his return from a rib injury.

At the time of writing he finds himself out of the senior side, but should he tick the boxes for a recall and get back to his best he has the potential to be one of the team's most damaging players.

Jason Horne-Francis, Miller Bergman, Paul Curtis - One game

The Kangaroos have had two players fulfil childhood dreams of playing at AFL-level, and both Jason Horne-Francis and Miller Bergman look to have strong and exciting careers ahead of them.

Horne-Francis came into the side as the number one draft pick and has quickly established himself as one of the league's top talents. As well as a NAB Rising Star nomination in Round 7, he earned a Goal of the Year nomination in Round 12.

As a lifelong Kangaroos fan, Miller Bergman would have dreamed of running out in royal blue and white for his whole life. A serious shoulder injury would certainly not have been part of his plans.

Ruled out for the remainder of the season, Bergman has shown through his VFL performances that he is capable of stepping up to the next level, and every North fan will be excited to see him progress next year.

Paul Curtis was selected as a forward who oozes x-factor in the 2021 NAB AFL Draft, and he's come into the senior side with a serious future to build. 

He's impressively built his physique over the course of his rookie season and is looking more at home at senior level with each passing game.