It was the big issue that plagued them in the early part of the season, but the Roos have been able to rectify their centre clearance differential in recent weeks.

Brad Scott identified the problem in the wake of North’s Round 1 loss to Fremantle, and since then, the side has worked hard to rectify the problem.

North’s clearance differential stats week-on-week are as follows:

Round 1: -11
Round 2: - 1
Round 3: Even
Round 4 +12

“It was so great to see North Melbourne get on the board,” Gerard Healy said during On The Couch.

“Finally they fixed up their biggest problem (clearances).”

“That’s a good sign,” fellow panellist Garry Lyon added.

“When you go really badly in Round 1, improve in Round 2, get back to even in Round 3 and then have a win and get in the positive column in Round 4, that’s player and coach driven.

“It’s about identifying the problem and taking a bit of time to work it out.”

At half-time on Saturday night, North led Adelaide in the clearance count by 7, and while structurally there may have been some adjustments, it seems the personnel may have also been a big factor.

“It’s also player availability,” Healy said.

“Jed Anderson coming in made a huge difference.

“And Paul Ahern at selection,” Lyon added.

“(Dom) Tyson goes out and Ahern and Anderson come in, who I’m told is as important as anyone (in that side), with Cunnington in the middle of the ground.

“That’s a big step forward.”