NORTH Melbourne will need to address a "dysfunctional forward line" among a host of issues if it is to bounce back from a nightmare 82-point loss to Fremantle on Sunday. 

The Kangaroos kicked just nine goals in their season opener, including three in the second half, suffering their heaviest ever defeat to the Dockers. 

ROOS HAMMERED Full match coverage and stats

Coach Brad Scott said the Roos had stoppage issues and disposal problems before highlighting his forwards' movement ahead of the ball and inability to win the ball back in attack. 

A "forensic review" would be needed, with Scott determined not to let the loss define the Kangaroos' season. 

"Ball use is one thing, having a forward line that is dysfunctional … I mean we got the ball back 13 times in our forward half when they did the same about 40 times," Scott said. 

"We were beaten by six goals at stoppages, beaten by another six goals basically from turnovers, had an inability to score ourselves, and an inability to defend the turnover when we didn't score. 

"They are all a huge concern." 

The Kangaroos were caught out by Fremantle's attacking mindset with the ball and relentless pressure without it, with the home team dominating inside 50s 68-47 and winning the clearances 40-27.    

With his team forced into pressured handballs and repeated turnovers, Scott was hopeful his team's ball-use issues were out of character. 

"That certainly isn't what we've been building to and not the evidence provided through training and the pre-season," the coach said. 

"It wasn't one particular area today. It was most of them, and when you have poor games in all of those areas, it can add up to that score. 

"Does that mean you're a terrible football team? Well I don't believe that, but I think on the evidence today people will think that and that’s fair enough." 

North was already missing defenders Scott Thompson (suspension), Majak Daw (pelvis/hips) and Sam Durdin (finger), and on Sunday lost luckless backman Ed Vickers-Willis to a suspected ACL injury in the first quarter. 

"The early prognosis isn't good. He ran into the goal post last year and did a PCL, now a suspected ACL, and he's had two shoulder reconstructions," Scott said. 

"It's a brutal game sometimes.

"But the evidence he's provided as a defender is exceptional. We just haven't been able to get him out there enough. Now this is another test of his character."

WATCH Brad Scott's full post-match media conference

North's issues further up the ground on Sunday exposed their vulnerability in defence, with Fremantle kicking its highest score since 2013 – 21.15 (141). 

Scott said he was determined not to let the loss define his team's season, but talk was cheap and it was what the team did from here that matters. 

The coach forecast changes at selection, with more young players set to join impressive debutant Bailey Scott, who was a shining light with 21 possessions and two goals in an accomplished debut.  

"He just played as we knew he would … he's got a really bright future in the game," Scott said.  

"He's a great role model for other young players because he's a great preparer. He's a thorough professional.

"We've got some youth that we'd like to bring in at some point, but I didn't suspect it would be this early, but it may."