DEFENDER Daniel Pratt says North Melbourne hasn't discussed its prospects for 2010 but sees no reason why it won't be able to compete with its opponents every week this season.

North kicked off its NAB Cup campaign with an exciting 14-point win over reigning premier Geelong on Sunday.

While pre-season upsets can sometimes be par for the course, it was more the style with which the Kangaroos played - under new coach Brad Scott - that created more buzz.

North combined defensive aggression with its ability to attack at pace, providing some real encouragement for those in royal blue and white at Etihad Stadium.

Pratt, 26, believes Scott's simple philosophy will stand North in good stead when the season proper kicks off next month.

"The way we've gone about it this year, it's really role-based," Pratt said from Arden Street on Monday morning.

"We're pretty aware of what we've got to do, so if blokes play their roles each week I think it shouldn't be hard to predict that we're going to have a reasonable season.

"If blokes go away from that, that's where you get into a bit of trouble."

Pratt said his teammates were thrilled to have beaten Geelong, winner of last year's pre-season competition, but realised the Cats were perhaps a tad underdone compared to previous campaigns.

While Geelong is now relegated to the NAB Challenge circuit, North will host Fremantle at Etihad Stadium next Sunday with the winner through to a NAB Cup semi-final.

"Going forward from here you can take some confidence from that (beating them) but it's a long season and there are another four weeks before round one," Pratt said.

"We've got a really young list, so it's probably just more important for us to be worrying about what we're doing right now.

"Brad's come in, he's new to the gig as well, so it's been really exciting what we've seen so far. But I think a young team getting ahead of themselves is just looking for disaster.

"I think we'll just worry about playing Freo this week and then we've got Port in round one and we'll just keep working towards that."

Several of North's young players shone in the victory. While Ben Warren (four goals) and Sam Wright were among the standouts, others such as draftee Ryan Bastinac were sitting in the stands awaiting a chance.

"You'll see them at some stage," Pratt said.

"Everyone had great pre-seasons so it's hard to leave blokes out, but unfortunately you can only play 26."

Half-back Gavin Urquhart, who left the field on Sunday, had some swelling around an eye but should be fine to tackle Fremantle next weekend.