The importance of North Melbourne’s clash with Carlton on Friday night hasn’t been lost on the players according to vice-captain Jack Ziebell.

Speaking at Aegis Park on Thursday, Ziebell acknowledged recent criticism from the outside but maintained his positivity

“The opinions I listen to are within the four walls of the club,” Ziebell said.

“We understand we’ve got a lot of work to do and a few things to sharpen up on.

“If we do that then we’re going to be a consistent football side. I’m still really excited with the group we’ve got here, where we’re heading and it’s a really positive time for the club.”

After conceding a 15-point lead at three quarter time against Brisbane, Ziebell said the group was well aware of the on-field issues.

“It’s a few skills in the last quarters that we’ve focused in on during match reviews. We’re aware of what they are and it’s going to be a bit of a process.

“We’re all committed to right the wrongs and get back out on track to train it.”

Ziebell’s eagerness to rectify the losses is easy to see.

“The evidence is we’ve lost five or six games under two goals. As a group we need a steely resolve in that we understand where we’ve gone and now it’s about the actions in fixing it.

“We’ve done a lot of talking so now it’s time to go out there and do the actions.”

Looking back, ruckman Todd Goldstein says the Roos’ goal after its loss to Fremantle in Round 13 has been clear.

“Since we were four and eight we realised that every game was going to be pretty important. We wanted to try and get back to eight and eight,” he said Speaking to SEN’s Morning Glory program

“Now with the loss to Brisbane we have to shift the goal to nine and nine. If we can get there then anything is possible.”

Goldstein said the team spent a fair amount of time on the review of the Brisbane loss.

“We spent probably about an hour to an hour and a half on Monday and once that was done another 30 to 45 minutes with your individual line coach, going through your own edits.

“You try and do that as early in the week as you can so you can move on and start training those things.”