Midfielder Jack Ziebell admits feeling "very nervous" watching last Sunday's win over Fremantle and says he is ready to repay his teammates after missing the game through suspension.
The 24-year-old will return to the field in Saturday's clash against the sixth-placed Western Bulldogs after serving his one-game ban for striking St Kilda's Jack Newnes in round 20.
Ziebell said he felt helpless watching the game against the Dockers, but his suspension was a fitting time to rest his body and "freshen up".
"After missing a game, you want to get back out there and give back to the boys," Ziebell told NMFC.com.au on Tuesday.
"I'm a horrible watcher and for the whole game I was very nervous and had a sick feeling in my stomach.
"When you're playing, you're not as nervous because there's so much going on out there … but when you're on the sidelines, you've got no control and it's a much different feeling."
Although North would have benefited from having Ziebell in the squad, the playing group would be comfortable knowing that any player can come into the side and fill any deficiency.
Ziebell said inside midfielders Ben Cunnington (team-high 26 touches), captain Andrew Swallow (21 touches) and substitute Ryan Bastinac (seven touches) stood up in his absence last weekend.
"'Basty' (Bastinac) played as a sub but when he came on he played his role perfectly, and 'Spitter' (Swallow) and 'Cunners' (Cunnington) inside to cover myself not being there was also really good," he said.
"We've got guys in the twos at the minute who are playing unbelievable football and they in their own right should be playing senior football but because the team's performing, it's making it hard to get a spot."
The 188cm vice-captain said the Roos reviewed the 11-point win over the Dockers on Tuesday afternoon, describing the overall game as a "very mature performance".
"To get the job done against a quality side in Fremantle, who has proven to be the best side in the competition this year, is definitely a confidence booster," Ziebell said.
"It just reinforces that what we're doing well stacks up against the best teams, so we need to continue that and it's going to help us."
With the team review meeting now out the way, the side's attention has quickly turned to the Western Bulldogs, who have won 10 of their 12 games at Etihad Stadium this season.
The Bulldogs will return to their favoured venue in Etihad Stadium after conceding nine goals in the final quarter of their 77-point loss to West Coast at Domain Stadium last Sunday.
Ziebell said the Bulldogs' heavy defeat to the Eagles was not a true reflection of how the team had performed under first-year coach Luke Beveridge.
"We know from their results this year that they're a quality side," he said.
"They use the ball very well with amazing foot skills and they link up with their hands as well.
"We can't allow them to play that free-flowing style of footy, especially at Etihad Stadium where they've had so much success this year."
