Following a strong 22-point victory over Carlton, North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos' head coach Darren Crocker admitted he'd put the heat on the team's midfield during the week.

After disappointing losses against Melbourne and Collingwood, and the club's on-ball brigade lowering their colours over a rare fortnight, the Roos' stars bounced back in the perfect way. 

Jasmine Garner and Emma Kearney racked up 60 disposals between them, and that was just the start. 

Jenna Bruton and Ash Riddell were also amongst the major ball winners, with all four of the midfielders reminding the competition what they’re capable of.

“We actually put our mids under a little bit of heat this week,” Crocker told the media.

“We felt the last couple of weeks Collingwood’s mids were strong compared to our girls, and the week before that Melbourne’s were pretty good.

“I thought they responded superbly tonight… and when the game needed to be won it was our midfield that really stepped up.”

A huge positive to take out of the tightly fought contest was the return of Jess Duffin, with the defender waiting 714 days between games.

Duffin, who took time away from the game to give birth to Georgie, looked like she hadn’t missed a beat as her composure across the half-back line was key to North’s victory.

“Every time she got it she was composed and considered… her ability to hit that first kick under a little bit of pressure was just so important to us,” Crocker said.

“She came to the bench and was cooked a few times obviously with the amount of footy she’s missed.

“[But] she sets up so well behind the football which really helped us tonight.”

With every North player impressing on the night, one of the shining lights of the game was the recently recalled Sophie Abbatangelo.

Abbatangelo, who was omitted for last week’s loss against Collingwood, kicked two crucial goals for the night and was well and truly back to her best.

“We had a really good, frank conversation when I left her out of the team last week,” Crocker said.

“The way she responded on the track gave all us coaches enormous confidence that she was going to really respond tonight.

“She kicked a couple of crucial goals and was a really important player for us.”

North will hope to continue its new good form next week against Richmond at the Swinburne Centre on Friday night.