Outworked in the contest, outmuscled, outplayed – North was beaten at what it does best in Round 1. A week later and while the Roos were far from their best against the Bulldogs, the improvement and the desire was obvious.

“To be soundly beaten by Essendon in that area (contested possession) in the first round, everyone thought that was unacceptable and we needed to correct that as quickly as we could,” stoppage coach Darren Crocker told NMFC.com.au.

“For them (the Bulldogs) to be beaten by 35 by West Coast and us to beaten by 44 (39) against Essendon, we knew it was going to be a game a bit like two bulls butting heads in regards to trying to win the contested ball.”

After such a differential last week, North bounced back to beat one of the statistically better contested sides in the competition.

“It was really pleasing for us that we turned that around quickly on the weekend.

“We felt that in the Round 1 game against Essendon they just outnumbered us time and time again, not so much just in the first instance, but then when the ball spilt to that next opportunity that we just weren’t working hard enough and with enough numbers.”

Crocker admits the season-opener proved a reality check.

“A little bit of it is the work-rate to get over and give yourself continued chances to compete for the contested ball.

“Our ability to work over and outnumber the Bulldogs in those situations was much better on the weekend.”

Perhaps more impressive was Jack Ziebell’s team-mates’ ability to step up, with the vice-captain clearly limited by a shoulder injury.

“To lose him meant others had to stand up. Ben Cunnington, Nick Dal Santo and then Levi Greenwood.

“We knew that Levi could come in, win his own footy and he’s got a good tank. We knew he could work hard and run and spread as well.

“That was really pleasing that he could come in and play a role when Jack went down with his shoulder.”

Dal Santo also brushed off criticism from certain parts of the media to make his presence felt, registering 11 contested possessions.

“It’s probably taken him a little while to find that with our guys, the other guys have played together for a few years now through the midfield.

“He’s had to find out the strengths of his other midfielders, the strengths of the ruckmen. He’s now starting to find some synergy with the guys and working his way into the games.”