North Melbourne football boss, Brady Rawlings, said the club is preparing for some big decisions in order to improve its ladder position in the future.

“This a really big period for us,” North GM football told the Herald Sun.

“There are big decisions to be made … It will be thorough.

“There’s going to be short-term pain to get to where we want to get to.

“We’ve got to look at players who are going to help us in the future.”

Diffusing the suggestion of a re-build, Rawlings said the club is firmly focused on improving quickly.

“We don’t think we’re in a position where it’s a total rebuild which others have alluded to,” he said.

“There’s going to be a lot of change ... that’s not to say we haven’t got good players already, we just need to add to this young group.”

With a 3-11 win-loss record,  the Kangaroos’ high standards and values will be factored into list decisions.

“We don’t think the results this year are a true reflection of our list, we know we need to get better but we think we have enough players there to bounce back,” he said.

“I know what this club stands for and I know what our members and supporters expect from our players when they cross the line, and its competitors who give their all and a never-say-die attitude.

“And players who have got that are players we can’t afford to lose.

“Players who don’t have that attitude find themselves in a position where they might not be here next year. It’s as simple as that.”

Rawlings said the challenge will be striking the balance between retaining experienced players and bringing in fresh talent.

“I said from the first day I walked in, we need to increase talent and we will be doing that in every way possible, through draft, trade and free agency,” he said.

“We think we’ve got a good group of 22 and unders and we want to add to that.

“Clearly, the draft this year is massive for us, we want to get in young elite talent.

“We got two first rounders (North’s own and Melbourne’s) and got Essendon’s second rounder and it put us in a good position to net some quality.

“Those two first rounders are untouchable … we’re picking the best kids possible.

“But we can’t be bringing in twelve 18-year-olds.

“We have to make sure there’s experience around the 22 and unders.”