In a nutshell

North's decision to embark on a list rebuild at the end of 2016 resulted in a widely anticipated fall. Although the Kangaroos have won just five games – four of them from rounds six to 10 – they have been largely competitive while blooding 10 debutants.

Have your say: Give your season verdict on the Roos using the form at the bottom of this article.

What we said in the pre-season  

Our prediction the Roos would finish 16th was close to the mark, while our call for them to play youth at every opportunity was answered as Jy Simpkin, Braydon Preuss, Ed Vickers-Willis, Daniel Nielson, Sam Durdin and Declan Mountford were given extended senior opportunities. We also correctly tipped Luke McDonald to live up to the Roos' revered No.11 jumper, Taylor Garner answered our query on whether he could get his body right and 2017 proved a challenging year for key defender Lachlan Hansen as predicted.

What worked 

Scoring has not been a problem for the Kangaroos – they are averaging 88.2 points a game, 10th in the competition – with Ben Brown establishing himself as one of the competition's best key forwards. North has only suffered one loss by more than nine goals – 70 points to Port Adelaide in round 17 – and three of its five wins have come against finals-bound teams, Adelaide and Melbourne (twice). Recycled recruits Marley Williams, before a season-ending back injury, and Nathan Hrovat fitted seamlessly into North's best 22, while Simpkin, Vickers-Willis, Preuss, Mountford, Nielson and Durdin have all shown encouraging signs.

What failed

The Kangaroos had their worst start to a season since 1972, dropping their first five games. Three of those losses were by less than a goal, and the Roos have struggled in close games all season, winning just one of their six matches decided by less than a kick. North has also been too easy to score against; after round 22, only the Brisbane Lions have conceded more than its 104 points a game. Ball use has also been a major problem, while Todd Goldstein has been a shadow of his 2015 All Australian self and long-term injuries to Sam Wright and Ben Jacobs have proved costly.

Overall rating: C+

North Melbourne was expected to fall in 2017 and did. It earns a narrow pass mark for remaining competitive while blooding its next generation.

The coach

Brad Scott has earned praise from North chairman Ben Buckley for doing "a really good job" in 2017, a fair assessment given the coach's ability to keep his increasingly young team largely competitive. There is considerable work to be done before the Roos are again finals contenders and it remains unclear whether Scott will be the foreman on that job. The coach is contracted for 2018 and says he remains committed to the club, but will assess whether he remains the right man to lead North at the end of 2017.

The leaders 

Despite battling a host of niggles from early in the season, Jack Ziebell has led from the front in his first season as Kangaroos skipper, his on-field leadership typified by the courage he showed in kicking five goals against Collingwood in round 20 after copping a heavy knock to the ribs. Roos vice-captain Robbie Tarrant has also impressed in his first year in the job, somehow managing to marshal a young backline while minding the opposition's most dangerous spearhead. In his fourth year, Luke McDonald has looked a future leader with his passion and unwavering attack on the ball.

MVP

Ben Brown: has stood tall in his first season as North's No.1 key forward, kicking 56 goals in the first 22 rounds to sit fourth in the Coleman Medal race. The 24-year-old Tasmanian is an outstanding contested mark, a reliable – albeit eccentric – set shot and applies exceptional defensive pressure for someone standing 200cm.

Surprise packet

Braydon Preuss: was an unexpected star in the JLT Community Series with his robust ruck work and contested marking in attack. Injury and North's reluctance to partner him with Todd Goldstein for much of the season, has limited the Queenslander's senior opportunities, but he has shown enough to suggest he has a bright long-term future.

Get excited

In a team light on class, Jy Simpkin has been a welcome addition. The No.12 pick in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft still needs plenty of time in the gym, but the 75kg whippet is courageous, quick and, best of all, has the X-factor North desperately needs.

Disappointment

Todd Goldstein: The ruckman's decline since his 2015 All Australian season has been startling. The 29-year-old seems to have lost some spring at ruck contests, but the drop-off in his influence around the ground is the biggest concern. Dropped to the VFL for two weeks after round 18, his form has improved since his return, but he will likely be available at the trade table again this year.

Best win

Round seven: North Melbourne 22.13 (145) def Adelaide 13.8 (86) @ Blundstone Arena 
The Roos piled on 10 unanswered goals in the opening term and were never seriously challenged as they put the previously unbeaten Crows to the sword. Jarrad Waite starred with six goals.


Low point

North was on course for its maiden win of 2017 in round five when it led Fremantle by seven points at Domain Stadium in the dying minutes. But late goals to Michael Johnson and Shane Kersten helped Fremantle pinch the four points and consigned North Melbourne to its worst season start (0-5) since 1972. The loss stung even more given the Roos had led by 29 points early in the third term and had blown a 31-point lead against Geelong in round two. 

The big questions

Will Brad Scott fulfill the final year of his coaching contract?
The coach has been linked to the vacant Gold Coast position. Will he opt for a fresh start after eight years at Arden St?

Can the Kangaroos fast-track their climb back up the ladder? 
Snaring Josh Kelly and/or Dustin Martin in October'splayer exchange period would see North bounce back into the upper rungs quicker than expected.

What awaits the veterans at season's end? 
Will Jarrad Waite, Scott Thompson, Sam Gibson, Lachlan Hansen, Todd Goldstein (contracted until the end of 2019), Andrew Swallow (2018) and Lindsay Thomas (2018) be at North next season? 

Season in a song

(Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon

Premiership window

Shut: Locked more securely than a bank vault

Who's done?

Retirements: TBC 
Delistings: TBC
Unsigned free agents: Lachlan Hansen, Scott Thompson (restricted)

How should they approach trade and draft period?

The Roos are making massive plays for star midfielders Dustin Martin and Josh Kelly, but if they miss both they should focus on the draft, investing their first pick (currently pick No.2) in the best available midfielder. They should also explore acquiring more picks through trades, with Goldstein among their possible bait.

Early call for 2018

If North gets both Kelly and Martin, it should be aiming to return to the finals. If it gets Kelly or Martin, it should push up towards the top eight. But if it lands neither, another bottom-four finish is likely.

Kangaroos fans: what's your season verdict?

Share your views via the form below and we'll publish the best responses on Saturday, September 2. 

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