A WIN over Richmond on Sunday will finally make the competition take North Melbourne seriously, says Kangaroos defender Sam Wright.
The rebuilding Roos have surpassed most people's expectations this season, winning four games including an unexpected two-point thriller over Sydney at the SCG on Saturday night.
But Wright believes there's still a lack of respect about the Roos' credentials and that a win over the Tigers at Etihad Stadium on Mother's Day will change that.
"They're the benchmark ... I reckon straight after the Sydney game the guys were really looking forward to this week," Wright told SEN on Thursday morning.
"We played them in the JLT [Community Series] and were really disappointing so I think there's a few boys that really want to have another crack.
"And not just that, we want to earn some respect from the footy world.
"We do just concentrate on what's going on within the club but you'd be lying if you said you don't hear what the critics are saying about the club.
"To get a win this week would really change that and really set up our season."
GET TEAMS ALERTS Subscribe for free with the AFL on Messenger
The 27-year-old credited consistent player availability and the form of veterans like defender Scott Thompson to the Roos' success so far this season.
Wright himself has finally shelved persistent injury issues, overcoming foot problems to run out for his first game in 709 days on Saturday against the Swans.
"I was pretty nervous going into the game. It's obviously been a long time and there were a lot of boys out there I hadn't played with," he said.
"To go up there and get a win like that, it was right up there with one of the best feelings in my career for sure."
YOUR COACH VERDICTS How Roo fans rate Brad Scott
Wright and midfielder Ben Jacobs turned to ballet training to overcome their foot problems, using the specific exercises to help "develop small muscles" and learn to activate tendons.
Clampdown king eyes Cotch or Dusty
Jacobs has been another positive element of the Roos' resurgence this season, with his old-fashioned tagging game claiming a number of high-profile scalps while he's simultaneously maintained his attacking game.
Richmond's Dustin Martin or Trent Cotchin are his next likely targets, with Wright recalling how Jacobs held the Tigers' skipper to just nine touches in the 2015 elimination final.
"I just think over the last few years we've missed him immensely," he said.
"Along with Marley Williams, you just know that the best small forward is going to be taken care of and the best midfielder will be taken care of and everyone can work around that."
Road to the Draft podcast
Magpie recruiter Derek Hine joins Cal Twomey and Nat Edwards to discuss the club's decision to take Jaidyn Stephenson just hours before last year's draft. Also, will the Pies chase Gold Coast skipper Tom Lynch? And will they keep Jordan De Goey?
