MAJAK Daw doesn't believe North Melbourne is set for a rebuilding period, saying its youngsters are ready to grasp their opportunities in 2017.
North oversaw a mass exodus of veterans towards the end of last season, with Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo all told their contracts would not be extended for 2017, and Daniel Wells subsequently opting to join Collingwood as a free agent.
On the day the decision not to re-contract Harvey, Petrie, Firrito and Dal Santo was announced, then North chairman James Brayshaw said the club needed a "pretty aggressive reset".
However, Daw told reporters on Tuesday North still had a strong nucleus of experienced players that should ensure it remained competitive next season.
"I think from the outside it might seem like a rebuild, but being at the club for seven years with guys like Ben Cunnington, Jamie Macmillan and Jack Ziebell it doesn't feel like a rebuild," Daw said at the announcement of the AFL's record 2016 participation numbers at North Melbourne Primary School.
"We might have some new guys coming in, but the great thing about it is there will be more opportunities for young guys. There are a lot of positions up for grabs."
Asked whether North could surprise a few external pundits in 2017, Daw suggested talk was cheap at this time of the year.
"It's pretty easy to come out and make these statements now. We haven't trained with full group yet, so it will be interesting to see when the group is together at the end of next week," Daw said.
"We've got expectations on ourselves. We want to perform. We want to be really competitive.
"But it's hard to know yet because we haven’t played any games, but we'll be really competitive and that's all I can say."
Daw signed a three-year contract with North in September following a promising finish to 2016 that included a four-goal haul in the Kangaroos' elimination final loss to Adelaide.
The forward/ruckman played a career-high nine games in 2016 to take his tally in seven seasons at Arden Street to 25.
This pre-season, Daw will focus on improving his endurance and his forward line understanding with fellow talls Ben Brown and Mason Wood, while next season he will be eying a regular senior spot.
"On a personal level, it's just (about) playing as many games as I can and, like that last final in Adelaide, I want to have an impact on the team," Daw said.
"I'm 25, turning 26 (in March), so I've been around the club for a long time and I know the expectation."
Petrie's departure leaves North's No.20 jumper vacant, with 1970s premiership star Wayne Schimmelbusch the other Kangaroos great to have worn the revered number.
Although Daw's teammate Luke McDonald last week gave up No.21 to take over the No.11 jumper made famous by Glenn Archer and Michael Firrito, the former Western Jet said he wouldn't be putting his hand up to switch numbers.
"They're pretty big shoes to fill, that's for sure," Daw said of taking on Petrie's jumper number.
"I've been No.38 for such a long time. I want to make that number my own, so I think I'll be sticking with it."
