NORTH Melbourne defender Michael Firrito remains confused by the contentious deliberate rushed behind decision, which cost the Kangaroos an early goal in Saturday night's costly loss to Port Adelaide.
Firrito was being tackled by Charile Dixon in the goalsquare when he sent a handball across the goalline.
Umpire Justin Schmitt penalised Firrito, gifting Port's Jay Schulz the easiest of goals.
"There were other players in the vicinity I way trying to handball to and it went through the behinds," Firrito told reporters on Sunday.
"I'm a little bit confused."
Ninth-placed Port went on to win the match by 28 points and keep its slim finals hopes alive.
North Melbourne have slipped all the way to eighth spot after a sixth loss in their past seven matches.
Captain Andrew Swallow concedes morale within the North Melbourne group is low following a string of losses, but says the side is determined to turn around its fortunes.
Since their big win over Carlton in round nine, the Kangaroos have lost six of seven matches – including the past five – and they fell to to ninth-placed Port Adelaide by 28 points on Saturday.
Swallow said the team's spirits had taken a hit in recent weeks, with the Roos having sat top of the ladder at the end of round 12.
"We've got a few guys at the moment who are a little bit down on confidence (so we'll) try rally around them and support them," Swallow told 3AW radio on Sunday.
"It's going to be a tough one but … we feel like we're up for the challenge.
"The belief is still there but it's being tested at the moment."
The North players gathered for a recovery session at the club's headquarters on Sunday morning.
Swallow maintained his faith in the Kangaroos' ability to finish the season strongly.
"We're still confident that we'll be able to get to September and play some finals footy," he said.
"We feel like we've got a team that's very capable and has shown over the last few years that (it) can play some really good finals footy."
The eight-placed Kangaroos have a six-day break ahead of their critical clash against an improved Collingwood outfit at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
