Over the next week, kangaroos.com.au will be looking back at each month of the home and away season, recapping the biggest stories around Aegis Park throughout 2011 - (Click on the blue text to view the stories)

North Melbourne notched its first win of the pre-season against the Giants in Lavington by 73-points. Sam Wright, Luke Delaney and Kieran Harper were all among the best.

A knee injury to youngster Ayden Kennedy put a dampener on the evening and after some promising signs during the match, he was forced out for the rest of 2011.

Injuries again took their toll against the Bulldogs at Eureka Stadium in the next of the club's NAB Challenge matches. Matt Campbell, Sam Wright, Brady Rawlings and Aaron Edwards were all injured, with Brad Scott forced to play injured players under the new substitute rule he labeled a 'disaster'.

Gavin Urquhart shaved his head for charity, while the club hosted Aussie Rock on Arden Street drawing more than 3000 fans to Aegis Park.

Todd Goldstein came to the realisation he'd be in for a big challenge after Hamish McIntosh succumbed to an achilles injury.

Nathan Grima made a steady return via the VFL after surgery in the off-season, while Ben Ross had high hopes in a 'make-or-break' year.

With round one nearing North took the opportunity to provide opportunities to four debutants - Ben McKinley, Cam Richardson, Shaun Atley and Cameron Pedersen. It was Pedersen who excited most though, working tirelessly in the ruck against Dean Cox with Goldstein withdrawing late.

Days later, Pedersen was the shock omission for the match against Collingwood.