New caretaker coach Leigh Adams will simplify North Melbourne's game plan in an attempt to end a 14-match AFL losing streak when they take on Richmond.

It's a case of positive vibes only for North Melbourne caretaker coach Leigh Adams as he attempts to release the shackles on the last-placed AFL side's attacking game.

The 34-year-old has taken the reins following David Noble's departure and will weigh up his own senior coaching ambitions over the next six weeks.

Adams has recalled No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis for Saturday's clash with Richmond at Marvel Stadium but doesn't intend on making wholesale changes.

Instead, he will look to lighten the mood at Arden Street and simplify the game plan in a bid to end the Kangaroos' (1-15) barren run.

"It's going to be about the environment that we can provide," Adams said.

"We want it to be really enjoyable, we want our guys to play to their potential and their talent and really show what we can play like as a footy club.

"If that means we can win a couple of games that would be great, and we're going into every game thinking that we can win.

"But we just want the guys to be able to express themselves on the field and play some really exciting football."

North Melbourne have the competition's worst attack, averaging just 55.9 points a game.

They kicked their highest score of the year against Collingwood last week - 12.9 (81) - but managed just two behinds in the final quarter.

As a result, they threw away a comfortable lead in a seven-point defeat that turned out to be Noble's last game in charge.

"We're going to try to free the guys up a little bit more on offence and let them play what they see in front of them," Adams said.

"We're not going to have too many instructions in that part of the game.

"We want to score, we to score as fast as we can and as much as we can, and not let defences get set behind the footy.

"It might mean at times that we make a few mistakes but we're just going to encourage the boys to keep going after it, make mistakes and try to clean them up afterwards."

Adams hopes the new sense of freedom will allow North Melbourne to upset flag hopefuls Richmond, who enter round 18 in eighth position.

The Tigers have recalled Nick Vlastuin, Trent Cotchin and Noah Balta among five changes, with fellow premiership stars Tom Lynch (hamstring) and Ivan Soldo (hand) unavailable.

"We'll go out there and give it our best shot and see what happens," Adams said.

"We're really confident our best footy can match it with anyone."

Adams backed Jaidyn Stephenson to have an impact against Richmond after he came under intense scrutiny over some poor contests that cost North Melbourne late in the Collingwood loss.

Stephenson later revealed he was injured, admitting he was a "liability" before being substituted out of the game, and hit back at his critics.

Adams hasn't felt the need to address it this week with Stephenson, who had scans on his back and has been cleared to play.

"There were just a few incidents in that last quarter when his back was sore that probably weren't up to standard," Adams said.

"Apart from that, the three quarters before that we were really happy with the way he played.

"A fully fit Jaidyn Stephenson helps our footy club go forward, so we're hoping that we get four quarters instead of three this week."