David King says Kangas good enough but Brad Scott can't afford another slip up next year

NORTH Melbourne is no stranger to being in football limbo, writes Fox Footy's Insider and former Roos champ David King.

Boomer Harvey

NORTH Melbourne is no stranger to being in football limbo.

Just hovering mid-table without genuine optimism for a premiership, but good enough to dodge cellar-dweller comparisons.

The thing is, this year was meant to be different.

We were waiting for a star to elevate from a core of similar midfield types to finally ease the load carried by Brent Harvey. After 350 games "Boomer" was entitled to think others would be targeted and tagged, but this hasn't eventuated and that has been the Kangaroos' greatest disappointment. There is nobody else.

Are they too similar? Which of Ryan Bastinac, Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell and even Andrew Swallow break the lines or change the direction of a game? They are all brutal, in-close, tough and honest at the contest, but how many is too many of that type?

Shaun Atley is poised to become the Kangaroos' next elite player; their next Daniel Wells. Breakaway speed, a healthy football arrogance and a craving for involvement and possession saw him become a damaging half back in 2012.

Boomer Harvey

The midfield needs Atley, but he epitomises the Kangaroos - offensively gifted, but defensively not interested. Multiple times in 2013 he has given his opponents little respect when they are in scoring positions. He is the sickness and possibly the cure.

At the Kangaroos through the Denis Pagan era, defence was an attitude. If you wanted to deny your opposition desperately enough, you would. New-aged terms like process and structures are terrific to provide system and predictability, but when games are in the balance momentum can only be wrestled back through a defensive moment and an action that halts the opposition.

Kangas close, but so far

Lindsay Thomas has become the competition's most potent small forward but, Thomas has created unstoppable momentum shifts through his petulance and selfishness at critical times this season.

Down-field free kicks, 50m penalties and suspensions have crippled the Kangaroos season. His 39 goals have come with significant baggage.

What will be coach Brad Scott's legacy? While Scott has the comfort of time, he is following the path of former Essendon coach Matthew Knights.

It is an attractive, exciting, high-octane and offensive brand that allows the opposition too many luxuries when they assume control.

The modern game has become a turnover battle and it is damning that the Kangaroos have forced the fewest opposition turnovers in the competition.

Only St Kilda, Western Bulldogs and GWS have been scored against more from counter attacks from their defensive 50m. It's too easy to score against the Roos, most likely because of an over-correction from last year when it comes to ball movement in the back half.

Kangaroos

Last year they were a forward-kicking, forward-handling, corridor-at-speed unit that challenged their opposition to engage. North was breathtaking at times, with only Geelong, Hawthorn and Essendon scoring more from defensive 50m raids. It was their No.1 asset and it was brilliant.

But they radically altered this in pre-season after the demoralising final at the hands of West Coast at Subiaco. Now they are a backwards and lateral-kicking team with minimal handball and little speed - and that has made them a shadow of their former selves.

They gave up an asset to try to improve their defence and it hasn't worked. This coming off-season must start with correcting who they are and how they counter-attack.

AFL football will always reward turnovers, with 60 per cent of all scores starting in that fashion. Scott and his coaching staff must employ a method to win the pill back. Fremantle have perfected the press in only 18 months and Geelong have continued their half-back intercept method with great returns.

Next year will be Scott's fifth season at the helm. A turnover mode must become evident as all other components of their game have improved in 2013.

The Kangaroos are the best stoppage team in the AFL. They average six more clearances than their rivals each week and they convert these clearances into a score the fourth-most of any side.

They are seriously hard at the coalface and are getting tougher, having elevated their contested possession differential from minus-three (ranked 13th) to plus-seven (ranked 5th).

Petrie and Thomas

The Kangaroos are less reliant on Drew Petrie and Lindsay Thomas. Aaron Black and Robbie Tarrant have arrived and the forward line looks settled and effective.

They are the AFL's second-best side at converting an inside 50m opportunity into a goal. They are powerful.

All is not broken. Far from it. But because the Kangaroos have over-corrected in the off-season, so too will the media and the naysayers. They will ask for a complete overhaul, where only a tinker is required.

Next year will be a successful season because this year hasn't papered over the cracks.

The pre-season must also contain situational training, like learning how to handle the clock and the final two minutes of a game - whether they are in front or behind.

North have lost four of five games decided by 10 points or less and this can't happen next season. The coaches box must take control; less hand-waving and more time directing on the phone late in the piece.

Scott decided against trading heavily at the end of last season, portraying the message that all is good with the list.

North close loss

This year must be different. The board clearly decided in February that the Kangaroos' progress was tracking as planned, signing Scott for another three years, ending in 2016. But at the conclusion of 2014 we must see the fruits of his five years in the chair.

North Melbourne are good enough, but they can't afford to have another 'yes, but' season where every positive carries an asterix.

Unlike Knights, at least Scott doesn't have the shadow of a James Hird-type looming large in the background.