TODD Goldstein says North Melbourne's days of "hoping" to win finals are behind them, as the Kangaroos eye a charge towards the Grand Final from eighth spot on the ladder.
The Roos stood up when it counted against Richmond on Sunday, erasing a 10-point half-time deficit with a composed performance under fierce pressure in front of more than 90,000 fans at the MCG.
The 17-point triumph was the club's third win from four finals – with the loss coming at the hands of the Sydney Swans in last year's 71-point preliminary final shellacking.
Click here for full match coverage and stats
The clubs will again face-off in a do-or-die final this Saturday night, although Goldstein said a rematch at ANZ Stadium won't be about the Roos redeeming themselves for that disappointing 2014 performance.
Instead the mature and more experienced group – boosted by the additions of Jarrad Waite and Shaun Higgins - will be focused on clearing another hurdle on the road deeper into finals.
"It's not necessarily (about) redemption, but I think last year we were hoping a lot," Goldstein told AFL.com.au.
"Hoping we could win games and win finals and this year we know we've got a job to do and we're confident.
"It's just another step on the way to try and contend for a premiership - and that's our focus."
Player ratings: North Melbourne
Externally, pressure was building on the Roos to perform against the Tigers after they rested a host of stars in the clubs' round 23 encounter.
North finished Sunday's match stronger, although Goldstein couldn't say whether it was due to the extra week's break.
"I don't think it was that big a difference. They had nine days off, nine days is a pretty big break," he said.
"Maybe because we held on, you never know it's one of those intangibles that might have made an effect, but our coaching staff and our fitness staff did the best thing they thought for our group and what was going to give us the best chance to win today.
"There was a lot of speculation about it in the media, but we just went about preparing for Richmond and getting the job done – and that's what we did.
"There was no worry about 'How bad are we going to look if we lose this game?' We didn't worry about it."
Goldstein carried on his All-Australian form in a pivotal battle with Ivan Maric, finishing with 13 touches, five inside 50s, two contested marks and 46 hit-outs to help the Roos' midfield turn the tide after Richmond's fast start.
The 201cm big man's duel with Swans duo Mike Pyke and Kurt Tippett looms as another critical factor on Saturday night.
"Obviously Kurt with his running ability and his athleticism – he's a good jump and he really pushes hard forward – so the defensive side of my game is going to have to be right on," Goldstein said.
"Mike's very, very strong, so I've got to make sure that I'm not getting wrestling too much – I've got to keep on the move. It will be a big challenge."
Red-hot West Coast – led by star ruckman Nic Naitanui - awaits the winner of the Swans-Roos clash in a preliminary final at Domain Stadium.
