‘No doubt' on big North improvement
The Roos have narrowly dodged the wooden spoon in back-to-back seasons, edging out West Coast in 2023 and then Richmond.
But with the addition of premiership trio Jack Darling, Luke Parker and Caleb Daniel, as well as No.2 pick Finn O'Sullivan and internal growth, the Roos are hopeful.
Simpkin, fresh off winning the best-on-ground medal for the Indigenous All Stars, is certain the Roos will climb the ladder this year.
'I think at the moment we're focused on the process, we obviously have a lot of talent coming through, so I have no doubt we will improve,' he said.
'We won three games last year. I have no doubt we will improve on that – but to have an expectation on where we'll finish on the ladder, it's not something we look at.
'We're focused on the process over the outcome because we know if we get the process right, then the outcome will take care of itself.'
Simpkin has noticed a lift in leadership at Arden St that has allowed four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson to take a step back.
The player-led Roo revival is focusing on three facets of the game but particularly their scores against.
'He's (Clarkson) put a lot more time into us and the assistant coaches to step up, taking a bit of a back step for us to take control of our future and destiny,' Simpkin said.
'The pre-season has been really good, we had a good hitout against Melbourne and we're looking forward to getting over to Bunbury to play the Eagles.
'We've just got to continue to work on our offence, defence and contest – those are the three facets of the game.
'Our defence, we were I think 18th in the competition for that last year, so it's something we need to step up.
'We've been training and finding different ways we can improve that sort of stuff.'
Simpkin's 'no doubt' attitude about North Melbourne's improvement extends to the contract status of star midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke.
Davies-Uniacke would become one of the hottest free agents of the year if he didn't extend with the Roos before the end of the season, but Simpkin expected him to sign on.
'I'm confident with LDU, but it's up to him. The club has put an offer in front of him, so he'll make his decision in due course, but I've got no doubts he'll sign on,' he said.
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