Club: North Melbourne
Coach: Scott Gowans
2020 captain: Emma Kearney
2019 best and fairest: Jenna Bruton
2019 in a nutshell: The Roos roared out of the blocks in their inaugural season with emphatic victories over Carlton, GWS and the Western Bulldogs. A controversial free kick helped them also squeak past Melbourne in round four but two losses in their final three games meant missing out on finals. The defeat to Fremantle in the last round came in what was effectively an elimination final.
New players: Ellie Gavalas, Aileen Gilroy, Abbey Green, Mia King, Tahni Nestor, Mairead Seoighe, Sarah Wright
Notable departures: Alison Drennan, Moana Hope, Courteney Munn, Jamie Stanton
Inactive players: Nil
2020 opponents: Melbourne (a), GWS Giants (h), Richmond (a), Gold Coast (h), Adelaide (h), Geelong (a), Western Bulldogs (h)
Circle it: Round five, Saturday, March 7 against Adelaide at North Hobart Oval. We suspect North is the real deal but a date with the reigning premier Crows will give us our answer.
Player to watch: Jessica Trend played every match last season but wasn't long back from an ACL setback, so her best football eluded her. But the winger's strong VFLW season has her ready to do the same at AFLW level.
Best Rising Star chance: Mia King
2020 prediction: Raided opposition teams' top talent ahead of their first season but prioritised cohesion for the 2020 campaign. The Kangaroos boast arguably the game's best footballer in Emma Kearney and are strong at every position, so expect them to be a premiership contender again. They faded down the stretch last season, so maintaining the rage will be vital.
