GRIM: North Melbourne captain, Jack Ziebell leads his team off the field after one of its 17 losses this year.
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NORTH Melbourne has been a complete mess the past couple of seasons, both on and off the field.
As a result, the Kangaroos have copped it from the media and fans alike, with the majority of it being deserved.
The Kangaroos are currently last on the ladder with a measly eight points, coupled with a historically poor percentage of 54.9 percent.
After all of this however, it might not be as bad as it seems.
One obvious problem North Melbourne has right now is that it hasn’t hired the right coach with the right support staff since the sacking of Brad Scott.
There are rumours at the moment that Alastair Clarkson is strongly considering the coaching role at the Kangaroos, on big money.
While there is no doubting Clarkson’s coaching ability, North needs to be mindful of not wasting too much of its soft cap so it can bring in a good, experienced coaching group.
ALASTAIR Clarkson may be exactly what the Roos need to get their team back on track, the blue and white reportedly met with the premiership coach this week.
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If North Melbourne could land two or three experienced and highly-regarded figures as part of its coaching group, it would be a huge success.
A coaching group headed by the likes of Clarkson and Mark Williams would be exceptional, along with one assistant coach who could be the main coach when Clarkson retires, much like the Paul Roos and Simon Goodwin scenario.
Williams would be high on the Kangaroos’ wish list given his success in developing players through his time in the AFL.
North Melbourne’s list is an interesting one.
There is a significant amount of talent on the list with the likes of Jaidyn Stephenson, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Jason Horne-Francis, Jy Simpkin, Tarryn Thomas, Will Philips, Cameron Zurhaar, Ben McKay, Nick Larkey and Callum Coleman-Jones.
The side has a lack of key forwards and backs on its list, this is something the club needs to address within the next three to four years.
CAMERON Zurhaar is having a strong season with 30 goals to his name, the 24 year old will be a key player in years to come.
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On paper, the North Melbourne midfield has great potential, but again North needs to be focusing on development.
North Melbourne has the talent for a successful period with a core group, bar a few key forwards and backs, but needs to develop the talent.
The Kangaroos will likely add to their talent this year with another number one pick and if they play their cards right, they could end up with pick two or a similarly high priority pick.
People must also bear in mind that the Kangaroos will be down the bottom for at least another two to three years, which means they will probably get another two or three top 10 draft picks.
The Kangaroos, while putrid at the moment, are in a better place than Melbourne was in 2013, when it fired Mark Neeld, in terms of the talent on their list.
Only Max Gawn, Jack Viney and Tom McDonald were on the list in 2013, these players were the only ones who went on to play in their flag last year.
The Demons’ list in 2013 was nowhere near as good as North Melbourne’s list currently is, which should give hope for the Kangaroo fans.
JY Simpkin leads the Kangaroos in disposals and clearances this year and at just 24 years of age, he has plenty of good footy ahead of him.
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North Melbourne should look at how the Demons turned the worst year of their history into a list that has the potential for a dynasty and use their blueprint.
The talent the Kangaroos have is better than people give them credit for and if they can unlock their potential, things at North won’t be bad for too much longer.
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