North Melbourne might be alone and undefeated at the top of the competition, but coach Brad Scott says the team can continue to get better.
The Kangaroos took nearly three quarters to shake free of the pesky Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium, but they banged on seven successive goals either side of the final change to run out easy winners.
The win made it five from five and the fifth time they'd topped the century for points scored.
It sets up a mouth-watering Friday night showdown with the run-and-gun Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
Against the Suns, North's pressure was first-rate, forcing their younger opponents into numerous errors that often led directly to goals.
Scott said it was just the beginning for his men.
"I'm rapt with 5-0, you couldn't be happier with that," he said.
"I still think that we've got a lot of improvement left in us too.
"Sometimes if you were absolutely flying and 5-0, you'd be concerned that maybe you went a bit overboard in your preparation and the cliff's coming, but I actually feel the opposite.
"I feel that we're building into our season.
"We're playing good footy but not our very, very best."
Nick Dal Santo was superb with 28 disposals, with one contested ball win late in the third critical in a Jack Ziebell goal that gave the Kangaroos some breathing space.
Skipper Andrew Swallow (23 disposals and seven centre clearances) was terrific in tight, while Shaun Higgins' 18 touches and three goals were decisive.
Scott said with their game built around pressure, which was on display in spades, their defence was also vastly improved.
He was also quick to refute his team's perceived lack of leg speed.
Once they forced turnovers against the Suns, the ball was whisked to the other end with speed and precision.
"We look at speed of ball," Scott said.
"If we can get the ball moving quickly, while being able to break out of congestion, I think it's the combination of those sort of things.
"Sometimes leg speed can be a little bit overrated but I think what is underrated is our leg speed."
