Despite another tough start to the AFL season, North Melbourne co-skipper Jy Simpkin sees success coming sooner rather than later for his side ahead of their Gather Round clash with Brisbane on Friday.
The Lions and Roos are both yet to register a win in 2024, as off-field rumours swirl around last year's grand finalists as they present at the early round's biggest disappointment.
North have also failed to produce on outside optimism of their potential after a long stretch at the bottom of the AFL ladder.
Although they've shown glimpses in games, late drop offs continue to anchor them down.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Simpkin remained positive about his side's ambitions.
"I think we're pretty close to putting it all together...obviously you need to play four quarters of footy each week. But we're very close to just putting it all together. We'll just keep working, keep training those things," he said.
Simpkin mentioned that their early matches have offered up a "tough start" as they hope to build something.
The Roos' three losses have so far come against preliminary finalists in the Giants and Carlton, and the 3-0 Dockers.
Against another opponent coming off a deep September, the Yorta Yorta man expects open play to be at a premium at Norwood Oval.
"Obviously, the last few years (they've) been a great team, played off in the grand final last year. So we expected nothing less than a fierce battle here," he said.
"It's obviously a bit of a smaller ground. So it's going to be probably a more contested game of footy."
The Mooroopna Cats product said he's looking forward to the 'country feel' of the off-broadway ground after also experiencing a game at Mount Barker during Gather Round in 2023.
"It sort of reminds you of being back home and playing," he said.
"You get to get the crowd involved....they're so close to the game and seeing all the players out here so it's good fun."
