Denis Pagan's message to North Melbourne

As Round 17 kicks off, an almighty challenge awaits for the Kangaroos, as their Thursday night contest with the Western Bulldogs presents as more than just a prime-time clash.

Tonight, North Melbourne celebrates its V/AFL centenary, marking 100 years in the premier football division, and the current players will be joined by a number of the club’s historical greats.

Delving into the club's storied history, the Kangaroos’ last taste of true success mounted in the 1990s under the leadership of coach Denis Pagan.

Pagan’s demanding, tactically astute profile turned the Kangaroos into a force, reaching seven straight preliminary finals, including three grand finals and two premiership wins in 1996 and 1999.

Leading a legendary side featuring the likes of Wayne Carey, Glenn Archer, Corey McKernan, Brent Harvey, John Longmire and David King, Pagan revolutionised the Kangaroos within his 10-year span as head coach.

Tonight, Pagan is set to take part in the club’s 100-year celebration, delivering a speech to the players prior to tonight’s clash with the Bulldogs.

Looking back on their treacherous run since their ‘99 triumph, Pagan revealed the contents of his pre-game address, not holding back in his assessment of the club's recent history.

“We see what’s happened since the 90s,” Pagan told SEN Breakfast.

“We’ve had a big drought - apart from one or two finals showings - for the last 20 years, and we’ve got to do something about it.

“There’s enough talent at our football club, but you don’t want soft, undisciplined talent. You want talent in guys who have a fierce desire, where nothing is going to stop them.

“That’s probably the message I’ll talk to them about tonight, desire. That rubbish they served up down in Launceston last week was pitiful.

“You just can’t put up with that, whether you’re a supporter, whether you’re a coach, whether you’re just a member of the football club, it’s just totally unacceptable.

“They’ve got the job in front of them last night; we’ve seen North Melbourne with their backs to the wall so many times… I don’t care whether they were to lose, they’ve got to have a go!

“They’ve got to look like they’re trying to beat their opponent. No daydreaming at stoppages and giving your opponent a 10-yard start, or when the ball is coming in, you’re dreaming and not knowing where your opponent is.

“Arms across at stoppages, get really physical with them, and make sure people think ‘geez, we hate playing North Melbourne!’ That’s the way it’s got to be I reckon.

“I just want them to understand where they came from, and I don’t want to live it in the past, but I reckon to know where you’re going, you’ve got to know where you came from.”

The celebration at Marvel Stadium kicks off tonight at 7:30pm AEST.