Hard and strong, that’s how North Melbourne wants to finish its 2021 campaign.

The momentum that can be gained from strong performances and, ultimately, wins, to round out the season can’t be understated, and with this weekend acting as the final home and away clash for the season, only victory will do.

While a clash with Adelaide may not look like a marquee matchup on paper, interstate away trips always pose an added element of difficulty than home fixtures.

With the Crows backing up from a competitive showing against Melbourne, David Noble is under no illusions about the threat this weekend’s opposition poses.

“It’s always tough playing the Crows in Adelaide, and we know they’re going to be up for the fight as well,” he said.

“We’ve set our sights on this last month to create some momentum, we want to finish with high energy [and] continue to grow our game plan.

“We’re going to finish hard this weekend … I’m just going hard at coaching the team, going to Adelaide with the momentum we want to create.”

With such a young side taking to the field each week, Arden Street has been just as much a learning environment in 2021 as a football club, with the side’s improvement and growth outstanding over the course of the season.

It’s not just the players who’ve benefitted from the brilliant culture and environment at the club though, with coaches and staff alike also implementing learning into their own roles.

Noble says it’s been important that everyone continue to improve at their craft over the year, regardless of their role at the club.

“That’s the environment we want, we all need to continue to get better across the board … we’ve had some feedback from the players which is great, and we’ve been able to adjust some things that are important to them,” he said.

“We’ve been really grateful throughout the year to have that feedback to be able to adjust our integration and relationships with the players as we go.

“It means the environment and culture pieces we’ve put in place are really good.”

Despite maintaining laser focus on North’s on-field goals this season, one thing that no player or coach at North has forgotten this season is that football is for the fans.

With a record membership tally despite the low ladder position, ongoing fixture changes and COVID lockdowns, North’s fans and members are arguably more important than ever.

Noble says he’s both aware and thankful for the impact the club’s fans have had on his side this season.

“Our members need a big thank you this year. To have a record membership where we are, the understanding of what we’re doing and the direction we want to go,” he said.

“Their ongoing support gives us enormous energy … we think we’re travelling in the right direction and we’re united in where we’re going.”