Ross Lyon has praised North Melbourne, labelling some of its early season form as ‘elite’.

The Kangaroos sit in 13th place on the AFL table with just four wins, but the Dockers’ coach says they can’t be underestimated.

“Their (the Kangaroos) best has been elite hasn’t it,” he told the Sports Today team on 6PR.

“They’ve probably only had one disappointing game by their standards which was probably the Gold Coast.  But up until then, they’ve played the elite teams of the competition and headed them and been in close games. As a young group, I think they’re right on track.”

Lyon says criticism of North Melbourne in recent weeks is unfair.

“They’ve been put under a fair bit of scrutiny and last time here against the Eagles, they probably had it pinched off them.

“We understand what’s coming over and it’s going to be quite difficult to get the points.”

Having missed the last eight games with an achilles injury, Matthew Pavlich’s prospects of a return are being closely guarded.  

“He trained this morning. Him and Aaron (Sandilands) and Michael Walters trained very well again, along with Jesse Crichton.

“They’re certainly back in full training and then it’s a matter of how long from there.”

The Dockers have had no issues covering Pavlich’s absence and sit fifth on the ladder with eight wins.