With the re-positioning of Jack Ziebell and Aaron Hall, the unavailability of Robbie Tarrant and the relative inexperience of the likes of Ben McKay and Aiden Bonar, North’s defence was an unknown quantity heading into 2021.

While the team struggled early, since the bye it can be argued that North’s most improved line is its last line, with teams suddenly finding big scores much harder to come by.

In the eight games since the bye, North has conceded over 100 points just once - in Round 16 against the Western Bulldogs - while allowing less than 70 points four times in the same span of fixtures.

Those eight fixtures have resulted in three wins, a draw, and four losses. If you account for just the second half of the season, North would be competing for a finals place.

Josh Walker has been a key part of the Roos’ defence all year, with his experience and intercept marking prowess proving to be an important cog in the side.  

“We’ve just consistently got better throughout the year not just in the back six, but across the whole team,” he told North Media.

“Our defence higher up the ground has also been a lot better which makes our job at the back a lot easier,” Walker told North Media.

“It was always going to take us a bit of time to get together with new personnel and new coaching staff, so it was never going to be something that clicked in Round 1.

“It’s more just a continuation of the improvement we’ve seen throughout the year, and we’re starting to see the results of that.”

Improving versatility has been a key part of David Noble’s plan this season, with the likes of Kayne Turner moving between the midfield and defence, and Luke McDonald being utilised on the wing.

In the defence it’s been no different. Every player tasked with preventing opposition scores has to be equipped to fill in anywhere in the back 50, in any role.

Walker says this new approach to versatility and understanding has allowed for growth all through the side.

“We’ve got some good flexibility with some of the guys who can play tall or small. One thing the coaches have worked really hard with us on is understanding all the roles,” he said.

“In the past, I might’ve just been across what the key defenders have to do, but now I’m making sure I know where guys like Jack Ziebell, Aaron Hall or Shaun Atley should be.

“That means if I do need to play their role for a bit I know where I need to stand and where I need to cover.

“That flexibility gives us the best chance to handle whatever an opposition throws at us.”