What will North Melbourne make of its 2019 season?

We are seven rounds into season 2019 and already North Melbourne supporters have experienced the highest highs and deepest lows. 

For the second time in three years, North Melbourne is siting two wins and five losses, but the mood is dangerously different.

In 2017, North Melbourne were prepared for a year of war.

It was tough, but they were hardly disgraced. 

Five losses to start the season: three under a goal and all five very hardworking, honest performances.

They finally hit their straps in round six with a come from behind win against the Gold Coast and in round seven, watched the unthinkable happen as they ended an unbeaten run to Adelaide's season, belting them by nearly 10 goals.

The team was spirited, emotions were running high and there was belief in the inner sanctum that the best was yet to come for this group.

Fast forward 24 months and the mood isn't quite the same.

Angst and dissatisfaction has built amongst the North Melbourne faithful with every loss notched up in 2019.

The biggest frustration lies at selection.

Week in, week out fans are screaming for younger players to step up to the plate and be given an opportunity without much movement from the selection panel.

It is possible the fans and those inside the club view different things of this season.

Some changes have been necessary.

I have said from week one the biggest change needs to be bringing Larkey into the side to support Brown.

Since his inclusion in round six, the pair have been working wonderfully together.

Against Port Adelaide, Brown was well held by Tom Clurey but Larkey stood up, kicking three goals.

The following week, Larkey was lively around the ground and while he didn't hit the score board, Brown kicked four.

They are working perfectly in unison which makes your wonder why the move wasn't made sooner.

Unfortunately, Larkey's story isn't unique and many players have gone without a solid opportunity.

But that comes back to the original point - have the fans already canned 2019 and are prepared for some trial and error? And does the limited change suggest the perception of our season differ from that behind closed doors? 

Luke McDonald critics will think so.

I admit, I have been hard on McDonald this season simply because I know he can do better.

And if a spell in the VFL brings that out in him, then so be it.

So be the case for all players - hold them accountable for continuous under performing.

Because for a side that has so called "depth" there is rarely accountability for a string of poor individual performances.

When there is, it works wonders. 

Like it did for Jy Simpkin.

Missed the game against Port Adelaide and amassed 33 touches in the VFL. He took a bit of confidence in his game when returning against Carlton and looked like a footballer reborn.

28 disposals at just over 81 DE, three clearances, two tackles and two goals in what was his best game for North Melbourne.

He was one of 22 players who stood up and contributed to an enormous 58 point win over Carlton.

Yes, the win was fantastic and it was powerful but if North Melbourne could not make a statement against an undermanned Carlton side that went in without a large chunk of its best players then the entire club - staff and supporters alike - would have gone into meltdown.

But let's talk about the win, because it's just what the doctor ordered.

Finally, the young players bore fruit. And by that, I mean for once, they were the difference instead of stepping up alongside the usual contributors.

Yes, Cunnington was brilliant but Higgins, while he saw a lot of the ball, wasn't at his best.

It was Dumont, Garner, Zurharr, Thomas, Simpkin and Turner who made the difference.

Taylor Garner did not look like a man who has missed as much football as he has.

Perhaps his long stint out of the game meant supporters forgot what they were missing.

But it was gold.

And at times this season, Jack Ziebell has been challenged as a leader.

He was lousy on Good Friday, with a whole six touches and no one made any sort of effort to pull him back into the frame.

So for him to step up, go to Cripps and nut out what was a very even contest was a sensational captains move. And Captain Jack came out on top.

As good as the win was, it appears glorified by the promise Carlton have shown this season compared to the last.

There has been more to read from the losses.

The worst of the lot on Good Friday, not just because of the final margin but because what the game means to this club and the ridiculous threat that falls over the fixture because the AFL is more interested in maximising profit to lock anything in.

I hope the club did enough to secure it for a fourth time next season but anything can happen really.

So now, as early as round seven there is a fork in the road for North Melbourne and 2019.

We've already seen a lot of good and a lot of bad.

The club is capable of playing well and having a red hot go and they're also capable of letting go.

So the choice is in their hands, really and what they want to make of this season.

Is the eight still in sights? Do we plan for the future? Which kids get a run?

What does the rest of 2019 look like for North Melbourne?

That is up to them.

And for us to stick by them for the ride.