North deserves greater praise for its 5-0 start to the season, David Schwarz says.

In his column for The Geelong Advertiser, the former Melbourne star described the Roos’ unbeaten start as “a fabulous story”.

“Fans of other clubs will state that North doesn’t deserve credit like this because they have had a soft draw to start the year, but I wouldn’t call Adelaide soft,” Schwarz said.

“I was in Tasmania for the game against Melbourne, and the Dees are far from easybeats these days. The Kangaroos have also beaten the Gold Coast, which was widely tipped to make the finals, Fremantle and the Brisbane Lions.

“Their list is the oldest. They have the oldest player in the league (Brent Harvey), who is about to break the all-time record for most games played.

“They have recruited players whose careers seemed kaput at previous clubs.

“They should be slow, they should be sliding, and they should be at a crossroad.

“Instead, North Melbourne is sitting on top of the AFL ladder having played five games and won five.

“It’s a fabulous story, which no one seems to think is good enough to talk about.”

Schwarz said North’s recruiting had been strong in recent years.

“I laughed when they took Jarrad Waite on a two-year contract,” he admitted.

“The former Blue was cactus, but he’s made a stunning turnaround in form and leadership.

“He has enabled Drew Petrie, the perennial punching bag up forward, to have a friend.

“Shaun Higgins looked done at the Doggies, but he’s another example of great teamwork off the field to get him physically able to play good footy, and the form he’s been in has been excellent.”

The Roos’ development of its emerging youngsters has been another positive, according to Schwarz.

“Ben Brown is huge, and quick and talented. But he hasn’t been exposed too soon. The club knew how to manage the start of his career to ensure he didn’t get ahead of himself or his form didn’t drop off too much.

“I think we still haven’t seen the best of Jack Ziebell. He is a wizard in the middle.

“Sharing that midfield glow is the league’s best ruckman, Todd Goldstein.

“Three years ago he wouldn’t have been mentioned in the same breath as Aaron Sandilands, but now, he’s better.”

North last played the Western Bulldogs in a top-of-the-table clash back in 1998.

“Brent Harvey had played 38 games (in Round 22, ’98). He’s still going, having clocked up 414 games, and he doesn’t look like retiring any time soon.

“He’s the Benjamin Button of the competition.”