NORTH MELBOURNE captain Adam Simpson doesn’t expect the AFL world will rate his side highly heading into the 2008 season despite its preliminary final appearance last year.

Before the 2007 season, few experts gave the Kangas a fighting chance of playing finals after they had struggled to 14th place the previous year. Speaking before training at Bulleen on Friday morning, Simpson said he doubted whether that perception of the club had changed after one successful year.

“I don’t think [2008 will] be a lot different to last year, to be honest,” he said.

“I think a lot of people think maybe, you know, we might have overachieved [in 2007].

“So we’ve still got a bit to prove in that area.”

Simpson said everyone at the club was aiming to perform to at least the same level this year.

“I think you’ve got to back up what you did last year before you can say you’re a consistent team. So that’s probably the main focus for us, to get that consistency year-in, year-out,” Simpson said.

“There’s no point dropping down to 10th or 11th this year after such a good year last year.”

There appears no reason why Dean Laidley’s side can’t repeat last season's deeds this year, with the full squad taking part in Friday’s skills session.

Simpson said Nathan Thompson and Leigh Harding – both returning from serious knee injuries – would be like “two new really good recruits” while some of the fresh faces also impressed the 31-year-old.

“I don’t mind [draftee] Robbie Tarrant, he looks all right,” Simpson said of the newly drafted players.

“He hasn’t got the guns as big as his brother’s yet [Fremantle’s Chris] but he definitely has the same sort of silky skills and is a strong leading, strong marking type of player, so hopefully he gets a run in the NAB Cup.”

The Kangaroos meet the Western Bulldogs in Darwin next month in their NAB Cup opener and Simpson said the players are aware a good performance was crucial for the club's finances.

“I think we’ve been in the same situation for a long time,” Simpson said.

“We normally have a go in the NAB Cup and I don’t think it’ll change this year.

“We’ve always been aware that our performance really indicates our bottom dollar and you know, if we drop off like we did a few years ago, it does hurt us financially.

“Bigger clubs don’t have to worry about that but the players do understand that and you know we’ve got to put up a good show, for our supporters as well.”