When the chips are down and the going gets tough in a game of football, there is one constant point of difference that always comes to the fore to the decide the game’s outcome ... effort.

After higher quality performances against Adelaide and Geelong in the last two weeks, David Noble says his young list needs to continue to commit to an effort-first mentality to continue to take charge of their own improvement.

“The areas I think we’ve really started to get our group to understand is the ability to bring regular energy and commitment to AFL standard. That’s one of the big things we’re driving hard,” Noble told SEN.

“The game doesn’t really care how old you are as far as the average age of your team, so there’s a level of expectation and I think our players are really starting to understand and grasp that.

“The energy and effort you bring in the moment far outweighs any tactical element we might feel might give us a slight advantage, because when you bring that effort and energy it allows to … [execute] your basics and fundamentals at a high and consistent level.”

No matter what level of football is being played, wins drive the measure of success and development for any group of players.

While the development and experience being bedded into the younger members of North’s side is a huge positive, the wins need to start flowing to allow this group to reach its potential, according to Noble.

“We’ve been driving it pretty hard into the VFL guys as well, it (wins) gives you nourishment, apart from the emotional side, [it gives players] the belief factor,” he said.

“The connection your players have post-game, that five minutes post when the siren goes [and] they’re able to embrace, understand and really get a feel that this is what it’s about.

“We want to go into every game with the mentality that we want to win. We still need to have that as a driving force within our makeup.”

Key to the progress of the playing group is quality of North’s coaching staff, and Noble believes he has the right people in place to get the most out of his young players.

“We have a really experienced coaching group… we’ve got a group that I think is able to really keep our players level headed and calm through the areas we want to work on,” he said.

“The consistent is what we’ve set out to do, from teaching and direction to a consistent game plan, to [being] consistent in the standards we want to create, and we’re not going to waver on those standards.

“I think when we do that we’re able to give the guys a clear sense of direction that we need to have.”