Incoming North Melbourne skipper Jy Simpkin says his club is "not backing away from anything" after a string of controversies enveloping the club ahead of the 2023 season.

In January the then-24-year-old was unveiled as one of two co-captains taking over from Jack Ziebell's six-year spell in the role at the Kangaroos.

What has been a manageable adjustment through the pre-season is expected to get "a bit more serious" once their round one clash with West Coast rolls around on March 18.

A proud Yorta Yorta man, Simpkin becomes one of just a few Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to captain at the top level, joining Fremantle's Alex Pearce as mob leading out AFL sides this year.

His elevation to the role follows a rich history of Indigenous players at Arden Street.

The likes of Barry Cable and Krakouer brothers Jim and Phil remain icons of the game while in more recent times Byron Pickett, Lindsay Thomas and Daniel Wells, among others, have all donned the blue and white vertical stripes before Simpkin without taking on captaincy.

"It's (I'm) the seventh or eighth Indigenous captain throughout the whole of AFL/VFL history which is pretty cool and something I keep very close to me growing up as our proud Yorta Yorta man," Simpkin told the National Indigenous Times.

North fans have endured a torrid stretch in recent years with back-to-back wooden spoons in 2021-22 and just nine wins from the previous three seasons.

Despite the extended lean period, Simpkin says he and fellow captain Luke McDonald have no doubts about taking on the responsibility in such testing times, and is "excited by the challenge" and "bullish about what we can achieve this year".

North are 0-2 from their two preseason games against Richmond and the Bulldogs.

"A strong structure and game plan in place at the moment (from) over the last 10 to 11 weeks has been something we've been learning," he said.

"It's still going to take time as we go throughout this season, but I'm a lot more confident this year."

Simpkin said there was no pressure on himself and McDonald to graduate from vice-captains into the job, which was "completely our decision" once picked out from a player and footy staff vote.

He said examples set ahead of them will go a long way to inform their time at the helm.

"The ability for Ziebs (Ziebell) to stay level headed through the last three or four years when times haven't been going very well and we haven't been winning many games - his ability to come into the footy club each week after a bad loss and just to be so positive and keep the boys together is something I definitely learned off him and will try my best to do as well," Simpkin said.

North's preparations have been marred with trying off-field circumstances involving past-and-present Indigenous players and footy staff.

Controversy began as early as grand final week last year when Alastair Clarkson became central to serious accusations and ongoing investigations of misconduct against Indigenous players during his time at Hawthorn just days after securing the Kangaroos' coaching job.

Roos' utility Tarryn Thomas has been swept up in troubling allegations involving a number of women in recent months.

While the club itself drew criticism for their handling of the situation and initially allowing Thomas to continue training with the club under the cloud of accusations, Simpkin and the Kangaroos have voiced support for the 22-year-old.

Thomas is understood to be taking on educational training.

In February, club great Barry Cable became subject to legal proceedings surrounding alleged sexual abuse involving a Perth teenager in the 1970s.

Despite the enduring attention, Simpkin said the environment for First Nations players within its four walls remains positive, crediting former Collingwood and Sydney Swans player-now Kangaroos' Indigenous Player Development Manager Robbie Ahmat and Clarkson himself.

"The support around the club, even from Clarko himself, is second to none," Simpkin said.

"We're not not backing away from anything.

"Obviously Tarryn's going through a bit of a tough time at the moment but he's been back at the club, which has been awesome to see.

"The environment is still very positive for us Indigenous players."