The Kangaroos famously lost five games by less than a goal in 2013. Their average losing margin in those games was just 11 points.
The Roos lost by four points in round two against Geelong, surrendering a 41-point three-quarter time lead. They then fell to the Hawks by three points in round five and by two points to West Coast in round eight.
The one-point loss to Carlton in round 18 certainly hurt, but it was the heartbreaking one-point defeat at the hands of Adelaide that was most difficult to comprehend.
North led by 30 points at the nine-minute mark of the final quarter, only to let slip its lead and allow the Crows to finish over the top.
"It still burns, some of those games," Kangaroos skipper Andrew Swallow told Fox Sports.
"We go back and have a look and it's still hard to believe we lost it and that was the game (versus the Crows) that hurt the most."
Roos coach Brad Scott has made a point of showing the highlights – or lowlights (whichever way you look at it) – to his players before each training session.
The team has also made a few tweaks to its game plan in preparation for next season – in particular making changes to the way it uses its players behind the ball.
Meanwhile, Swallow is making steady progress from the ruptured Achilles he suffered in late July.
The Kangaroos captain hopes to return in the first half of the season.
"Maybe I'm the optimist all the time," Swallow said.
"The coach (Scott) reckons probably the second half of the year, but I'm hopeful to get back in the first quarter of the year or so."
Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie
