3 minute read

North Melbourne coach Rhyce Shaw has no problem with high expectations being placed on his AFL club after a transformational off-season.

Positivity abounds at North Melbourne after a Rhyce Shaw-led rejuvenation, but the rookie coach knows that the AFL club's new dawn must quickly translate to on-field results.

The Kangaroos finished with seven wins from their final 12 games after Shaw replaced Brad Scott last season and the coach is confident that momentum has carried into his first full pre-season in charge.

After last year's 12th-placed finish, the Roos have been a popular tip to climb back into the top eight in 2020.

And that's just fine with the man in the hot seat.

"We've got high expectations for ourselves too and I'm really proud of how the club has gone about the pre-season and turned things around after a tumultuous year," Shaw told AAP.

"I've said to our boys we've got to earn the right to be in those top-eight conversations and we haven't done that yet.

"But I'm really confident that we can and I couldn't be more excited about North Melbourne and where we're going.

"I'm looking forward to the season ... it can't come quick enough."

Shaw might not have felt quite the same way had stars Jack Ziebell and Ben Brown needed a lot more time to recover from their respective calf injuries.

Brown may still miss the Roos' season opener against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on March 22.

But Ziebell will definitely lead the side out.

"Yes, 100 per cent I'll be there, there's no doubt about it," Ziebell told AAP.

"I did have a little bit of an interrupted pre-season but I'm back on track.

"It's just about whether I play another practice game to get some more minutes before round one."

The skipper kicked 24 goals switching between midfield and attack last season, but figures to spend more time in Shaw's rejigged onball brigade in 2020.

"We've got the bulls in there that can do the job, no doubt," Shaw said.

"But we've needed some midfield depth and I think we've found a few answers over pre-season."

The likes of Cameron Zurhaar (26 goals), Nick Larkey (26) and Tarryn Thomas (16) have lessened the need for Ziebell to pitch in up forward and helped to reduce the reliance on Brown.

The young trio have also created a buzz amongst the North faithful.

"It's really exciting for the footy club the amount of talent that we've got around Ben now," Shaw said.

"There is going to be expectation and I think those guys deal with it really well. In terms of tempering expectation I wouldn't be doing that.

"They've got good heads on their shoulders and I want them to embrace it."

At the other end of the ground, Scott Thompson's retirement after 241 games will lead to a defensive reshuffle.

Delisted Brisbane free agent Josh Walker and Majak Daw are the frontrunners to fill Thompson's key post, and help out backline stalwart Robbie Tarrant.

Shaw isn't ready to declare a successor just yet, but is delighted with what Daw has been able to do this pre-season after making it back to VFL level late last year following major hip surgery.

"Maj has put his hand up but he's still got a way to go to cement that spot," Shaw said.

"The most important thing for us is to see Majak out on the park.

"He obviously had a rough run but to his and the club's credit, as well as his family and friends, he's been able to get back to playing some good footy and just enjoying his life.

"Life's pretty good for him at the moment and I'm really happy for him, which is the most important thing."