North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson and GM of Football Todd Viney sat down to answer some important questions from the Kangaroos supporters following a disappointing start to the 2024 AFL season, saying there's plenty of improvement that needs to happen, especially on the track.
Clarkson's men have begun the year with seven losses, no wins and a dismal percentage of 57.3, placing them well and truly last in the competition.
Unearthing a heap of young talent including recent draftees Zane Duursma, Colby McKercher and the very familiar Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw, there was always going to be teething problems.
However, a discouraging period that has stretched from the beginning of the 2020 season until now has yielded 12 wins in 91 games, causing concern among the fans.
The club has an average losing margin of 52.5 points so far and is in real strife of becoming a team that fails to record a win in a season, as the improvement in West Coast has them leapfrogging the Kangaroos.
Clarkson revealed that the "standards" of the group are not where they need to be but implores fans and supporters to stick fat in what will likely be another tumultuous year.
"The standards of our group are not at the level they need to be, and that's what we're aspiring to (improve). That's why we brought in new players, and new coaches to try and resurrect that.
"We've embarked on this pathway of investing in youth, and we acknowledge that that will come with some bumpy roads, and part of that will be lifting our standards.
"If we were training unbelievably well, I think that would be reflected in winning games, so it doesn't surprise me that someone who has observed our training has said 'I don't think the standards are good enough' because that's why we're sitting in the position on the ladder that we are right now.
"Our challenge is how can we lift those standards in our training, games, and environment."
When Clarkson took over as head coach 18 months ago, he set out to rectify the stability of the club, which witnessed plenty of personnel turnover both on and off the field.
The four-time premiership coach saw to adding and securing Jen Watt (CEO), Sonja Hood (president) and Viney as key pillars of the club, while giving the reins of the players to co-captains Jy Simpkin and Luke McDonald.
"That's (off-field stability) been our most significant focus over the last little while," Clarkson said.
"We knew when we came into the club 18 months ago that our footy club needed to fix itself up in terms of its culture and environment, and unless you get the administration and governance of the club stable, then it's difficult to have success."
The Kangaroos will look to right the path on Saturday when it takes on St Kilda at Marvel Stadium at 4:35 pm (AEST).