LACHLAN Hansen hopes to make a "fresh start" this year after a 2016 season when little went right for him.

Hansen was a long-time senior regular heading into last year, but following another injury-interrupted pre-season he was overlooked for North Melbourne's round one game against Adelaide despite being fit to play.

The key defender was a late inclusion for the Kangaroos' round two clash with the Brisbane Lions when Scott Thompson withdrew with soreness, but was dropped the following week and did not return to the senior team until round 21.

During his extended stint in the VFL, Hansen's attempts to earn a recall were hampered by two bouts of concussion – the most serious caused by an ugly off-the-ball bump that sidelined him for three weeks – and some minor niggles that meant he never played more than three games in a row, making it hard for him to find consistent form.

North's No.6 was again recalled for an injured Thompson in round 21 and, after performing solidly in the Roos' 39-point loss to Hawthorn, held his spot for the remainder of the season, including the elimination final loss to Adelaide.

Nonetheless, Hansen's season tally of five games was his lowest since his debut year, 2007.

The key defender told AFL.com.au this week he is determined to re-establish himself in the Kangaroos' best 22.

"Personally last year was pretty disappointing. Most years I'm in the senior team and playing week in week out, so when round one came around and I didn't get picked it was a bit disappointing," Hansen said.

"After that it was just a stop-start year for me. I had a few injuries, nothing major but enough to keep me out for a few weeks here and there.

"It was hard to push my case to get back into the team. I'd play a week here and there, and I struggled to get the form back to where it needed to be.

"I'm just looking forward to putting that behind me. I'm looking forward to kind of a fresh start this year and having a fair dinkum crack."

Hansen's quest has had the perfect start this summer, with the backman in the process of completing a rare full pre-season.

The Gippsland Power product has been troubled by hip problems in recent seasons, but says his body is feeling as sound as it has for five or six years.

"I've been able to do every session so far, so touch wood that keeps going. I haven't really had many full pre-seasons under my belt," Hansen says.

"I feel like I'm training as well as I have. Being able to tick everything off gives you confidence and it will be pretty exciting to take the training I've done over the last few months into games soon."

Hansen mostly played as one of three talls on North's backline from 2013-15, given a licence to intercept while Thompson, Nathan Grima and, more recently, Robbie Tarrant locked down on the opposition's best key forwards.

But the Kangaroos played just two key defenders – Tarrant and Thompson – for most of last season, relying on versatile veteran Michael Firrito, 189cm, to play on bigger and stronger opponents when required.

Hansen is confident there is still room for him alongside Tarrant and Thompson in North's back six, saying his prolonged absence last season was due to his patchy form rather than team structure. 

After the departures of veterans Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Nick Dal Santo, Firrito and Daniel Wells at the end of 2016, Hansen, 28, is the eighth-oldest player on North's list heading into his 11th season.

Hansen jokes he's "starting to feel pretty old" but is adamant there's plenty of good football left in him.

The former No.3 draft pick is due to come of contract at the end of this season, when he will be eligible for unrestricted free agency, but intends to be at Arden St for years to come.

"Having the year that I had last year just makes me want it more at the moment," he says.

"I've played a lot of senior footy and I've got a lot still to offer. I don't feel I'm slowing down or anything, I feel like I'm going in the right direction.

"So as long as I can still get a kick out on the ground, I'll be just really looking forward to playing week in week out in the senior team."