kangaroos.com.au has scanned opinion pieces in all the papers and canvassed the quotes to bring you a selection of exactly what has been said.
Former Roos’ recruiter and general manager Greg Miller had made a rare appearance in The Age telling Jon Pierik North is playing its best football in decades.
''This current group are playing the best football since the late '90s - the style of footy and the precision,'' Miller said.
''It is the best assembled group and skill level that I have seen. Their skill level is fantastic. I have seen their sides that have made finals [in 2007 and 2008] - this side is better. Their football is better.
''I have seen the Kangaroos play all their games recently and I can't believe they are playing unbelievably good footy.
''They were just miles ahead of Essendon in their movement of the footy [last Sunday]. Everything they did was first class. They have come a long way.
''They are very fit, obviously. They are leading and moving at one end and moving at the other end. They put Essendon to shame in that regard.''
Former player and premiership coach Paul Roos has written in the Herald Sun that he’s now a fan of North and coach Brad Scott.
“With a sprinkling of very good senior players, a very good team they have become,” Roos wrote.
“Their game plan is demanding. But successful game plans always are.
“Like all good teams they look extremely well balanced all over the field.
“Once they get their hands on the ball it is very hard to get it back. They're fit, they're quick and they use the ball well. But any team that jumps up like the Kangaroos must have some unsung heroes that have stepped up.
“While they will cause some damage this year and definitely play finals football, it may be another 12 months before the Kangas are a genuine premiership threat.”
Regarded as one of, if not the best players the game has ever seen, former club captain Wayne Carey also chimed in claiming the Roos are the form side of the AFL in The Age.
''Obviously, they have got their troubles now with injury, which they haven't had, but the way they played on the weekend, they have certainly proved they have improved as a side and winning games that are important to them,” Carey said.
''It feels like they have taken that next step, but once again it's another challenge this week against arguably the best side in the comp.''
Carey’s former team-mate Wayne Schwass believes North is in the best position to rectify a horrible record against Collingwood.
"For whatever reason they've really struggled against top-eight teams and in particular Collingwood," Schwass said.
"But that can all be history by one really strong performance (tonight). I think that they've positioned themselves as well as they could to go into this game with enormous confidence.
"It can stamp the bona fides of the group as a legitimate finals contender.
"What (a win) would also do for the playing group is that it gives them enormous belief that the game plan stacks up against a really top quality team.
"The confidence they'd get from that would be enormous and I think it would send a strong message to the rest of the competition that the Kangaroos simply wouldn't be making up the numbers."
"As well as they're playing, I think they would be acutely aware that if they have a five or 10 per cent drop off against a really good footy team, they are going to make it hard for themselves," he said.
In The Age, Gary Lyon likened North’s run to a Melbourne Cup race.
“After Hawthorn put North Melbourne to the sword to the tune of 115 points in round 10, thoughts of the Roos figuring in September appeared fanciful,” Lyon wrote in his weekly column.
“What has transpired since that day at Launceston has been one of the great ''training'' feats of the season. Brad Scott and his coaching staff refused to panic, and displayed a clear and calm confidence in their playing group, when the vast majority of football people had none.
“At the 2400-metre mark, they have moved back through the field, positioning themselves with a real chance of figuring in the finish.
“…Scott and his group are finishing as strongly and as impressively as any team.”
Lyon believes North Melbourne could cause some upsets in September.
“There will be teams which have enjoyed a good run out in front for most of the year but will be looking over their shoulders at the fast-finishing Roos. They have every right to be watchful, for this is a side that is growing in confidence by the week. The Roos have demonstrated a resilience under pressure that smacks of total team ''buy-in'', and when you look closely at the group that takes the field each week, they are ticking the sorts of boxes that September football demands.”
“North Melbourne is a team to be reckoned with. The Roos play with attitude, self-belief, are relentless and competitive and give the impression that they are all prepared to sacrifice for one another. They are playing very honest football. These are all qualities that defined their coach in his playing days with Hawthorn and, most notably, the Brisbane Lions. He has been able to mould this group in his likeness, unwittingly maybe, but impressively nonetheless.
“The finishing line is approaching and North Melbourne has loomed ominously. If Scott has timed the Roos' run to perfection they threaten as the ultimate wildcard in coming weeks.”
