After being bitten hard by the injury bug at the beginning of the season, the pressure to maintain a spot in North Melbourne’s best 22 is at an all-time high, and that’s leading to improved performances.

Charlie Lazzaro has been putting together a strong run of form at VFL level, while Atu Bosenavulagi was omitted from the side that took on Richmond after a solid 11 disposal, 1 goal performance against Geelong.

Lachie Young and Shaun Atley, both mainstays of the side from the first half of the season are being made to press their cases for a recall, while the likes of Phoenix Spicer and Pat Walker are banging down the door for a debut.

David Noble says this internal selection pressure is a sign of the strength and energy of North’s list.

“They’re certainly putting heaps of pressure on. Phoenix is in really good form … Atu was in good form again, Ats (Atley) went back and played well, Lachie Young,” Noble said.

“We’ve played Patrick Walker on the wing and half back, he’s looked really comfortable as the second half of the year has unfolded … and I think Charlie Lazzaro played well on the weekend.

“There’s a bunch of them … if their form is good enough and there’s a position that warrants it, then they’ll come into consideration of the next couple of weeks.

“What we’ve loved [is] the energy of those young guys to continue to put that pressure on. [It’s] been fantastic.”

With just two games left of the home and away season, the improvement and development of North’s young side over the course of the year is noticeable.

Gone are the tough, big losses, replaced by not only competitive showings, but a smattering of victories over the second half of the season.

The defeat to Richmond meant the Kangaroos were had consecutive losses for the first time since Round 11.

Much like the Tigers, Sydney is a high-pressure team looking to cement its position in the finals. Noble says he’s looking forward to the test it will provide his team.

“We’ve learned a couple of really good lessons in the last couple of weeks against the Cats and ‘Tiges’, again we’re coming up against a strong team that prides itself on contested ball [and is] playing finals,” he said.

“It’s a really great challenge for us, we feel like we’ve got really good energy in our environment at the moment. The players are really keen to get out there.

“We’ve got a target we want to hit in the next couple of weeks and we certainly want to finish the next two weeks full of energy and continuing to improve.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to take on another finals [contender] this week and just continue to learn.”