North Melbourne skipper Brent Harvey predicts Adam Simpson will forge an outstanding coaching career following his AFL retirement.

Harvey said Simpson, who drew the curtain on his playing career following the Kangaroos' 10-point loss to Carlton last weekend, had the potential to coach at AFL level in the future.

"He'll certainly coach. At what level he gets to, whether he wants to be an AFL coach one day or in an assistant's or development role, he'll be a sensational coach," Harvey said.

"His people skills are amazing, the young guys love him.

"I know whenever it is - next year, the year after - whenever he takes up coaching he'll do a very, very good job.

"He had good coaches - Dean Laidley and Denis Pagan.

"I think he's learned a lot, but he's got his own philosophies too, and he's a very smart man."

Simpson will remain around the club for the rest of this season to mentor the Kangaroos' young players through the rest of a difficult year.

But Harvey and his teammates remain gutted they were unable to send their much-loved former captain off with a victory - butchering plenty of final quarter chances in front of goal.

"Obviously he's been a great player, great leader, and it would have been really fitting to carry him off after having won," Harvey said.

"Unfortunately there's no fairytales in footy and it doesn't always work out like that.

"It's certainly not good enough - having 10 shots in the last quarter and not kicking one.

"The ones we missed from set shots should be kicked by professional footballers."

The Kangaroos are still winless in six outings under caretaker coach Darren Crocker, but have their best chance to finally post a victory in his care when they play wooden spoon favourites Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Melbourne managed to lose from what appeared an impossible position against Richmond last weekend.

They remain in line for a priority pick in this year's draft if they win no more than one match for the rest of the season.

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