North midfielder Nick Dal Santo is confident a week’s rest for several of the club’s key players will hold it in good stead against Richmond on Sunday.

Dal Santo admitted he was hesitant at first about sitting out Friday night’s match, but is now well aware of the potential benefits.

“It’s a little bit different (not playing). I don’t like missing much football as it is, let alone when there is finals coming up … but it was an opportunity to get the body right,” he said on The Sunday Footy Show.

“At the time I actually felt like my body was really good and I was good to play, but then in review I looked a bit tired.

“We’re in a better position now, I feel for me, to be able to attack this week training-wise and prepare for Richmond.”

Nine of the Roos’ stars watched on against the Tigers, with the club receiving much criticism for the move.

But Dal Santo said he and his team-mates welcomed the break.

“There is external pressure; people are going to be saying ‘is this the right move, the way to go about getting ready for a final?’.

“I reckon every player at this stage of their season, if they had the option they’d have the weekend off like they did the mid-year break.”

North and Richmond will face off at the MCG on Sunday at 3.20pm.

North Melbourne will hold an open training session this Saturday (September 12, 2015) at Arden Street from 11.15am-12.00pm.