NORTH Melbourne defender Scott McMahon says it's important the side starts winning so that his younger teammates can find some confidence before next season.

The 23-year-old wants at least three victories from the remaining games and stressed North would continue to throw itself into every one of them as its frustrating campaign drew to a close.

McMahon, who made his debut in 2007 and played 16 games as the Roos advanced to a preliminary final, said he benefitted greatly from playing in a successful side against quality opponents.

"I don't think it's so much the success," he said. "You just get the experience of playing against the best teams, especially going into finals. You know they're going to come out hard and also playing in front of big crowds [helps too].

"I think the Hawthorn game (the semi-final) had 70,000 there and that was just a good experience in itself, playing in front of that many people.

"Going into the finals series, it just steps up. I couldn't believe how much quicker, faster and more intense it was.

"We ended up seven days short of the grand final which was a little bit disappointing, but on the other hand no-one picked us to finish in the top eight. Hopefully in the next couple of years we can get back there and get a couple of steps further."

In its seven matches to come, North (4-11) plays three sides currently in the top eight and in round 22 travels to AAMI Stadium to meet Port Adelaide, which remains in ninth position on percentage.

Of the younger Roos who lost to 10th-placed Hawthorn on Sunday, Lachlan Hansen (nine games this season) has played in two of the side's four wins, Nathan Grima (seven) has featured in one while Levi Greenwood (four), Liam Anthony (three) and Leigh Adams (one) are yet to taste victory.

Grima, Greenwood and Anthony are three of seven debutants for the club this season.

But despite its disappointments, 2009 has welcomed McMahon's further development in a backline that moves ever closer to a settled six.

After spending the first seven rounds of last season in the VFL, McMahon was used in a number of different roles but had struggled to make ground after a pre-season that left him too heavy for then-coach Dean Laidley's liking.

The South Australian has played all 15 matches this year and should comfortably figure in the top 10 of the club's best-and-fairest count.

"My times were pretty good during the [most recent] pre-season," he said. "It has proved coming back at a certain weight helps with playing consistent footy and being able to run out games and playing a lot of game time.

"It has been good to cement myself in the backline. A while back I got thrown up forward and I still like moving around a bit, but it has been really good just to know that I'll be playing defence week in, week out."

McMahon, who is on track to play his 50th career game in round 21, is out of contract at the end of this season and hopes his manager can strike a new deal with the club in the coming weeks.