Darren Crocker's debut as caretaker coach of AFL club North Melbourne will focus on giving players another chance instead of making a selection statement.

And with the return of soup after training, cutting the boring bits of team meetings and an emphasis on attack during games, Arden Street might not be the worst place to be over the second half of 2009 even if the Kangaroos miss the finals.

Crocker has outlined his vision for the remaining 10 games to the players since Dean Laidley quit on June 16, but won't be making a big cull at selection like Richmond caretaker Jade Rawlings did after succeeding Terry Wallace.

Just as Crocker will be out to prove himself - he wants to be appointed North's next full-time coach - he will give his players the same chance.

That's good news for experienced types like Corey Jones, Daniel Harris and Shannon Watt, who have been bit-part players in 2009.

"When a new coach comes in the one thing you do want to do is give the guys a feel that it's a fresh start," Crocker said on Tuesday in preparation for Sunday's game against the third-placed Western Bulldogs at the MCG.

"And perhaps what a previous coach might have thought of them that's not there any more and everyone goes forward.

"So there'll be some senior guys who we'd be looking at perhaps resurrecting their AFL careers, there'd be young guys who'd be looking forward to getting an opportunity with theirs and there'd be guys who are playing ... looking forward to continuing on.

"There's just an expectation that everyone starts even and we go from here."

Crocker said he had worked on making the club environment more efficient and enjoyable, so it's hello to soup service after training, better-structured meetings and having players aim higher.

"I'd like to think that when the players walk in, they're basically saying to themselves `OK, how do I get better today?' and when they walk out of the place at the end of the day they're saying `I did get better and I enjoyed every part of doing that'," he said.

On-field, Crocker's focus will be on North becoming more dangerous with the ball and lifting their ranking as the lowest-scoring team.

"We've got to get back to really hurting sides because it's great to have that 100 per cent effort - that's the starting point - but if you're not hurting the opposition when you get your hands on the footy, it's worthless," he said.

"We want to play what we call best-option football, so wherever that might be you just go forward with the ball, where you can.

"Lots of options, lots of numbers to get in there as support and if we can do that we should be able to penetrate the game a little bit more."

Excited to get his chance, Crocker was confident he could handle the pressure.

"Do I look the emotional type who will throw phones?" he said.

Crocker's start in the hot seat should be made easier by the return of captain Brent Harvey, who has overcome the elbow injury he suffered in round five.

Midfielder Daniel Wells is almost over a groin injury, but a virus prevented him training heavily on Tuesday.

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