Improvement is the focus for 2026, as North Melbourne looks to turn opportunity into meaningful results with a developing and exciting list.

With March 15's Round 1 date with Port Adelaide right around the corner, here's what you'll need to know for the year ahead.

Coach: Alastair Clarkson
Captain: Nick Larkey
Vice-captain: Harry Sheezel
Leadership group: Charlie Comben, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Tristan Xerri, Cam Zurhaar

Team list

1. Lachy Dovaston
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. Charlie Spargo
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. Blake Thredgold
24. Tom Powell
25. Paul Curtis
26. Luke Parker
27. Jack Darling
28. Hugo Mikunda
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. Tom Blamires
41. Jacob Konstanty
44. Cam Zurhaar
45. Zac Banch
46. Robert Hansen jnr
47. Cooper Trembath

Coaches

Alastair Clarkson (senior coach)
Jed Adcock (assistant - defence)
Xavier Clarke (assistant - forwards)
Michael Barlow (assistant - midfield)
Zane Littlejohn (assistant - strategy)
Damian Monkhorst (assistant - ruck)
Tom Lynch (head of development)
Adam Marcon (VFL senior coach)
Jarrod Lienert (Indigenous player development manager/development)
Shaun Hampson (development)
Darcy Macpherson (development)

List changes

Ins
Charlie Spargo (free agent - Melbourne), Lachy Dovaston (pick 16), Blake Thredgold (pick 26), Hugo Mikunda (pick 48), Tom Blamires (SSP)

Outs
Miller Bergman (delisted), Kallan Dawson (delisted), Eddie Ford (delisted), Finnbar Maley (trade, Adelaide), Geordie Payne (delisted), Will Phillips (delisted), Brynn Teakle (delisted), Darcy Tucker (delisted)

Five key fixtures

Round 1 v Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide is first on the docket for the Kangaroos, who’ll be out to knock off the South Australian club for the first time since 2019.

North Melbourne pushed the Power to their limits when the sides met in 2025, with Paul Curtis (three goals) and Tristan Xerri (23 disposals, one goal) nearly dragging their side to victory at Adelaide Oval.

Then there’s the subplot of former Roo Jason Horne-Francis, set to face a raucous Kangas Marvel Stadium crowd for the first time since his move to Alberton at the end of 2022.

It’s a stage calling out for Alastair Clarkson and his group to lay down an early marker.

Round 3 v Essendon

It’s been a while since the Roos have tasted success over their rivals, but they’ll get two chances in 2026 to end the drought against Essendon, starting with a Round 3 encounter at Marvel Stadium.

After an injury-plagued 2025, the Bombers should be close to full strength when the clubs meet, presenting North Melbourne with a tough challenge.

Round 4 v Carlton (Good Friday SuperClash)

Marvel Stadium will again be the venue as the Kangaroos host Carlton in the annual SuperClash, held in support of the Royal Children's Hospital's Good Friday Appeal.

The Roos won by 11 points last time these sides met in Round 15 last year, and will be eager to back up that result in the marquee match.

Last year's SuperClash sold out, and fans are encouraged to get in quick to secure their seats for this Good Friday.

Round 5 v Brisbane (Gather Round)

Not too many clubs took points away from eventual premiers Brisbane last season, but the Kangaroos managed to do so, claiming a hard-fought 78-78 draw in Tasmania.

The Roos showed in that match that they have the capability to match the league’s elite. They’ll get another early-season test in this match against the back-to-back flag-winners, when they face off at a sold-out Barossa Park.

Round 8 v Geelong

Round 8 sees North Melbourne head down the highway to face Geelong, the second 2025 Grand Finalist the Roos will meet in a four-week block spanning from April to May.

After a dismal 101-point loss to the Cats in late July last year, Alastair Clarkson's men may look at this game as an opportunity to demonstrate how far they have come.

Against one of the competition’s powerhouses, the Roos will be aiming to stay competitive for all four quarters.

Full fixture

All times are AEDT/AEST

Round 1: Port Adelaide @ Marvel Stadium, Sunday March 15, 1.10pm (Home)
Round 2: West Coast @ Optus Stadium, Sunday March 22, 6.10pm (Away)
Round 3: Essendon @ Marvel Stadium, Saturday March 28, 7.35pm (Away)
Round 4: Carlton @ Marvel Stadium, Friday April 3, 3.15pm (Home)
Round 5: Brisbane @ Barossa Park, Saturday April 11, 12.35pm (Home)
Round 6: Richmond @ Marvel Stadium, Sunday April 19, 1.10pm (Home)
Round 7: GWS Giants @ Corroboree Group Oval Manuka, Sunday April 26, 4.40pm (Away)
Round 8: Geelong @ GMHBA Stadium, Saturday May 2, 4.35pm (Away)
Round 9: Sydney @ Marvel Stadium, Saturday May 9, 1.15pm (Home)
Round 10: Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval, Saturday May 16, 1.15pm (Away)
Round 11: Gold Coast @ Marvel Stadium, Saturday May 23, 1.15pm (Home)
Round 12: BYE
Round 13: Fremantle @ Hands Oval, Saturday June 6, 2.15pm (Home)
Round 14: West Coast @ Optus Stadium, Saturday June 13, 4.15pm (Home)
Round 15: Richmond @ MCG, Sunday June 21, 1.10pm (Away)
Round 16: Essendon @ Marvel Stadium (Home)
Round 17: Port Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval (Away)
Round 18: Collingwood @ Marvel Stadium (Away)
Round 19: Melbourne @ Marvel Stadium (Home)
Round 20: St Kilda @ Marvel Stadium (Home)
Round 21: Hawthorn @ UTAS Stadium (Away)
Round 22: Western Bulldogs @ Marvel Stadium (Away)
Round 23: Geelong @ Marvel Stadium (Home)
Round 24: Sydney @ SCG (Away)

Players to watch

Backline – Riley Hardeman

The hard-running rebounding backman from Swan Districts has become a firm fan favourite at Arden Street since being drafted in 2023.

A dynamic defender, Hardeman plays with a boldness that’s been on show across his 20 appearances at the highest level, and he looks set to elevate his game level in 2026.

An ankle sprain kept him out of the majority of the club’s match simulation with Melbourne and the Community Series practice match against Collingwood, but he is expected to be back and firing as the Roos launch their campaign.

Midfield – Finn O'Sullivan

With poise and a footy IQ beyond his years, the 2024 No.2 draft pick has delivered in his first season as a Roo.

Now with a built-out frame and another pre-season under his belt, O’Sullivan is primed for more time in the midfield, which only adds to the potential of North Melbourne’s onball brigade.

A powerful runner, elusive mover, and strong over the ball, the buzz for ‘FOS’ is warranted as he heads into his second campaign.

Forward line – Lachy Dovaston

Widely regarded as the premier small forward in the 2025 National Draft pool, Dovaston has already been living up to the hype across his first pre-season in the AFL after entering Arden Street as a first-round selection.

The crafty small forward snagged three goals in a quarter during North Melbourne's intraclub, before further displaying his prowess around the big sticks by kicking another three goals against Collingwood in the AAMI Community Series.

His movement and smarts could give opposition defenders some serious headaches this year, as he shapes as a player who will be tough to shut out of games.