Locked and loaded after another busy off-season, North Melbourne enters 2025 with a determination to improve, and a list increasingly packed with high-end talent.

With March 15's season opener against the Western Bulldogs fast approaching, here's everything you need to know for the year ahead.

Coach: Alastair Clarkson
Captain: Jy Simpkin
Co-vice captains: Nick Larkey, Harry Sheezel

Team list

2. Finn O'Sullivan
3. Harry Sheezel
4. Aidan Corr
5. Caleb Daniel
6. George Wardlaw
7. Zane Duursma
8. Bailey Scott
9. Luke Davies-Uniacke
10. Colby McKercher
11. Luke McDonald
12. Jy Simpkin
13. Darcy Tucker
14. Luke Urquhart
15. Dylan Stephens
16. Zac Fisher
17. Riley Hardeman
18. Wil Dawson
19. Griffin Logue
20. Nick Larkey
21. Callum Coleman-Jones
22. Taylor Goad
23. Geordie Payne
24. Tom Powell
25. Paul Curtis
26. Luke Parker
27. Miller Bergman
28. Jack Darling
29. Will Phillips
30. Charlie Comben
31. Josh Goater
32. Toby Pink
33. Brayden George
34. Jackson Archer
35. Matt Whitlock
36. River Stevens
37. Cooper Harvey
38. Tristan Xerri
39. Finnbar Maley
40. Eddie Ford
41. Jacob Konstanty
42. Kallan Dawson
43. Brynn Teakle
44. Cam Zurhaar
46. Robert Hansen jnr

Coaches

Alastair Clarkson (senior coach)
Jed Adcock (senior assistant - defence)
Xavier Clarke (assistant - forwards)
Leigh Adams (assistant - midfield)
Damian Monkhorst (assistant - ruck)
Michael Barlow (head of development)
Tom Lynch (development/VFL senior coach)
Emma Kearney (development)
Adam Marcon (development)
Jarrod Lienert (Indigenous player development manager/development)

List changes

Ins
Jack Darling (West Coast), Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs), Luke Parker (Sydney), Jacob Konstanty (Sydney), Finn O'Sullivan (pick 2), Matt Whitlock (pick 27), Luke Urquhart (pick 57), River Stevens (pick 67)

Outs
Blake Drury (delisted), Hamish Free (delisted), Hugh Greenwood (retired), Charlie Lazzaro (delisted), Bigoa Nyuon (delisted), Tyler Sellers (delisted), Liam Shiels (retired), Jaidyn Stephenson (retired), Curtis Taylor (delisted)

Five key fixtures

Round 1 v Western Bulldogs

North Melbourne immediately faces a 2024 finalist, with a clash against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium first on the docket for Alastair Clarkson's charges.

The Kangas haven’t beaten the Dogs since 2019 but will believe they can snap that seven-game run against a side that will be without captain Marcus Bontempelli, Cody Weightman, Liam Jones and potentially Adam Treloar.

A strong performance would provide a launching pad for a Roos side hunting an early injection of buzz.

Round 6 v Carlton (Good Friday SuperClash)

Following sold-out crowds in 2023 and 2024, the Kangaroos will host Carlton for the third year running at Marvel Stadium in the Good Friday SuperClash.

The Roos looked switched on early in 2024's SuperClash, but later struggled to combat Carlton's tall forwards Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, who spearheaded the visitors' 56-point win by combining for nine goals.

Yet to triumph over the Blues in the SuperClash, North Melbourne will be extra motivated to cause an upset in the club's marquee match.

Round 8 v Essendon

Under Marvel Stadium’s bright lights, two old rivals will lock horns in a big Thursday night clash on May 1.

With Essendon having won the past 11 encounters, the Kangaroos will need step up in order to turn the tide and make a statement on the prime-time stage.

Round 10 v Richmond

The Kangaroos will step onto the MCGs hallowed turf for the first time in 2025 when they take on the Tigers in a clash between two clubs with young and emerging squads.

While the 'G hasn't been a happy hunting ground for North Melbourne in recent years, the Roos will take confidence from their victory over Richmond in 2024.

Round 13 v West Coast

Round 13 will see the Roos and Eagles return to Bunbury after March's closely-fought practice game, but this time for premiership points.

Their recent fixtures have been nail-biters, with the last four matchups split at two wins apiece and an average winning margin of just six points.

If the Community Series clash was any indication, expect another tense battle in early June at Hands Oval.

Full fixture

All times are AEDT/AEST

Round 1: Western Bulldogs @ Marvel Stadium, Saturday March 15, 7.35pm (Away)
Round 2: Melbourne @ Marvel Stadium, Sunday March 23, 3.20pm (Home)
Round 3: Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval, Sunday March 30, 3.20pm (Away)
Round 4: Sydney @ Marvel Stadium, Saturday April 5, 7.35pm (Home)
Round 5: Gold Coast @ Barossa Park, Saturday April 12, 12.35pm (Home)
Round 6: Carlton @ Marvel Stadium, Friday April 18, 3.20pm (Home)
Round 7: Port Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval, Saturday April 26, 4.15pm (Away)
Round 8: Essendon @ Marvel Stadium, Thursday May 1, 7.30pm (Away)
Round 9: Brisbane @ Ninja Stadium, Sunday May 11, 4.40pm (Home)
Round 10: Richmond @ MCG, Sunday May 18, 1.10pm (Away)
Round 11: Collingwood @ Marvel Stadium, Saturday May 24, 7.35pm (Home)
Round 12: BYE
Round 13: West Coast @ Hands Oval, Sunday June 8, 3.20pm (Home)
Round 14: Fremantle @ Optus Stadium, Saturday June 14, 7.35pm (Home)
Round 15: Carlton @ MCG, Saturday June 21, 1.20pm (Away)
Round 16: Hawthorn @ UTAS Stadium (Away)
Round 17: Western Bulldogs @ Marvel Stadium (Home)
Round 18: Melbourne @ MCG (Away)
Round 19: Sydney @ SCG (Away)
Round 20: Geelong @ Marvel Stadium (Home)
Round 21: St Kilda @ Marvel Stadium (Away)
Round 22: Greater Western Sydney @ Manuka Oval (Away)
Round 23: Richmond @ Ninja Stadium (Home)
Round 24: Adelaide @ Marvel Stadium (Home)

Players to watch

Backline – Caleb Daniel

A calm and composed operator, Daniel brings a wealth of experience to Arden Street and has seamlessly integrated into Alastair Clarkson's backline across the pre-season.

Embracing his role as a playmaker behind the ball, the defender has been a standout for North Melbourne throughout the pre-season. He showcased his class with a 26-disposal performance against West Coast in Bunbury, while going at 88.5 per cent efficiency.

Brought into lead and drive standards, the 2016 premiership-winning star can be expected to be heavily involved throughout his first year as a Kangaroo.

Midfield – Tom Powell

A focused summer hunting the right balance between his strength and conditioning resulted in a standout pre-season for Powell, who is now primed to raise his ceiling after showing glimpses of his wide skillset over his first four years.

And as he looks to raise his consistency and contest-work, he'll be able to learn from credentialed recruit Luke Parker, who Powell has said he wants to go "head-to-head with as much as possible" during training.

While North Melbourne boasts a loaded midfield containing Parker, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Harry Sheezel and Jy Simpkin, plenty of eyes will be on the 23-year-old South Australian as he enters his fifth AFL campaign.

 Forward line – Robbie Hansen jnr

North Melbourne No.46 looks to have landed the small forward role in Clarkson's side, having been named in the senior team for pre-season bouts against Melbourne and West Coast.

Hansen jnr had 12 touches and two goal assists against the Eagles and has shown flashes of his talent across his eight AFL appearances so far.

With creativity, flair, speed and the ability to hit the scoreboard, Hansen jnr appears set to improve his output and could provide some memorable moments for Kangaroos fans this season.