Forward Mason Wood says North Melbourne will go into Saturday night’s match against Sydney with plenty of confidence, as the Roos look to continue an unbeaten five-game run at the venue.
While North’s record of two wins and six losses is far from ideal, the past three weeks have seen significant improvement.
"We know we have some work to do, but things are looking more positive,'' Wood told The Advocate.
"For us it has just been about getting on the same page with our ball movement and that is a highlight for us when we play well that we move the ball well, and it probably took us too long in hindsight to get that going, but it definitely is what has kept us in games of late.
"I can't put my finger on it, but over time having wins down there (Hobart) it just builds your confidence and if you have wins and build that home ground advantage, it all just rolls on from there.
"I can't see that there is anything there that makes us play differently, but it just seems to produce wins.”
Wood said North would have to bring a “hard edge” to beat a Swans’ lineup boasting plenty of experienced stars.
"It is about backing our system in and backing how we play and trust it is going to turn into the wins, which hopefully it looks like it is starting to do,'' he said.
Two players vital to the Roos’ chances, Tasmanian locals Ben Brown and Tarryn Thomas.
Brown booted five goals last week and four the last time the teams met.
"His ability for a big man to change direction and keep a big man on his toes is as good as anyone, and I think that is what defenders really struggle with as they don't expect him to cut and change direction like that and he is just unstoppable on the hit-up,'' Wood said.
Thomas has had an impressive start to his AFL career, particularly since returning to the team in Round 6. In the last three matches, he’s averaged 18 disposals and five tackles.
"There was a quote I heard where he was cleaner in the wet than he is in the dry, which is just ridiculous, but he is just super clean and that gives him that extra second at AFL level,'' Wood said.
"He has acquitted himself very well and you can only image he will get better as the year unfolds."