After months of training and weeks of match simulation, the North Melbourne team is edging closer to its first competitive hit-out.

A little over three weeks remain until the Roos’ opening Marsh Community Series fixture against the Bulldogs, and the players can’t wait.

“I can speak on behalf of every footballer at this time of year, we just can’t wait to get back into games again against genuine opposition, instead of training against ourselves,” captain Jack Ziebell said on SEN.

North’s opening fixture is scheduled for Friday, February 21 at Marvel Stadium, before it takes on Sydney on Monday, March 9 at Twin Ovals in Hobart.

Marsh Series fixture

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne
Friday, February 21 – 7.10pm AEDT
Marvel Stadium (Docklands)

North Melbourne v Sydney Swans
Monday, March 9 – 1.40pm AEDT
Kingston Twin Ovals (Hobart)