Defender Jamie Macmillan admits North's whole playing group is "under the spotlight" leading into its round 15 clash against Geelong at Etihad Stadium.

The 23-year-old, who forms part of the Roos' seven-man leadership group, was one of the shining lights against Gold Coast last round in an otherwise disappointing day, finishing with 28 touches and seven entries inside 50.

With Saturday night's clash against the Cats a season-defining one for both clubs, Macmillan said no player could take their spot for granted.

"I think there will be changes made and it's got to the point where we haven't been doing basic things well," Macmillan told NMFC.com.au.

"Regardless of who you are, if you're not performing and not doing the things that we want you to do as a team, you're going to come under a lot more pressure now.

"When we're winning and everything's hunky-dory, if you do a couple of things that are off and aren't quite to the team plan, they get glossed over, but when we keep getting exposed, everyone's under the spotlight."

After being restricted to just six games last year mainly due to a fractured fibula, Macmillan battled an Achilles injury that saw him miss much of the early rounds this season.

Despite a false start in round five, the 188cm backman returned a fortnight later and has since played the last seven games, which included a 29-possession, three-goal performance against Greater Western Sydney in round 12.

"Every time I thought I've taken that next step, something held me back, so hopefully now I can string a few games together and the last couple of weeks just aren't a one-off thing," Macmillan said.

"It took me a while to find my feet again; with an Achilles injury it's hard to get your confidence back with your pace, jump and acceleration."

Known for his vocal assertiveness around the club, the 73-gamer said he had embraced the extra responsibilities that came with a leadership group role.

"It's certainly put me in a few more uncomfortable situations that you don't really find yourself in when you're not in the group; guys asking you to do things that you perhaps wouldn't normally do, but not a lot has changed," Macmillan said.

"The pressure has come on me a little bit more as a leader that you have to make sure that you're doing the right things all the time."

The Roos will face the Cats with Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel to play for the first time since round three after overcoming a left knee injury.

Although the Roos struggled to negate Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett in his comeback last week, Macmillan said the club could not afford to target any one player.

"We're concentrating on stopping the Geelong footy club as opposed to stopping one individual," he said, citing the Cats' evenness across each line.

A bigger focus for Macmillan was to see an increase in his teammates' commitment and intensity levels – something that was lacking against the Suns.

"Gold Coast outworked us for the majority of the game which is really disappointing because that's something we can control each week," he said.

"It doesn't matter what they do, we can always bring our work rate."

Macmillan said his teammates could take a leaf out of fellow backman Scott Thompson's book, who will notch his 150-game milestone when he lines up against Geelong.

"He's someone that has got that never-say-die attitude," he said.

"I know when he's in the side, you just walk that little bit taller."