RHYCE Shaw's declaration North Melbourne's season will be a "failure" if the finals aren't reached is music to the ears of Shaun Higgins and Todd Goldstein, with the veteran pair invigorated by the new coach's shoot-for-the-stars mentality.
Earlier this month, Shaw firmly put September action on the radar for the club after a four-year absence, telling AFL.com.au it was his "expectation" the team finishes in the top eight.
For Higgins and Goldstein, both 31, it's exactly what they want to hear having stuck with the Roos for what will be the twilight of their playing days after being linked to Geelong at the end of last season.
"It's encouraging for all players, but guys in the back end of their careers like 'Goldy' and myself who clearly want to get back on the finals stage and take this football club back to where it belongs, it's fantastic that 'Shawy' can come out and say that," Higgins said.
"Now, as players we need to echo that and represent the club in the right way.
"We're really confident in the pre-season we've had and what we're building towards, and we're excited for this year and the years beyond."
Higgins has previously admitted he met with the Cats at the end of last season as he explored options away from Arden Street following a season where Brad Scott was replaced by Shaw in late May.
But after getting clarity on the direction Shaw wanted to take the club in the next few years, and seeing where he fit into his plans, he extended his contract to the end of 2021.
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"I always wanted to stay around, it was difficult circumstances for the club, which I respected at the time, and it probably just got drawn out a little bit," Higgins said.
"Through 'Shawy' and [football manager] Brady [Rawlings] we were able to get exactly what all parties wanted and it just unfortunately played out a little bit longer than we would have liked.
"In the end, we got it done and it's in the past now and we've moved on and I'm excited about playing the role I need to play this year for the team."
Goldstein was in a similar boat; he was reportedly offered a four-year deal from Geelong, but settled for three to remain a Roo.
"It was never that I wanted to leave, it was just that I wanted a little bit of security and we were able to get that for myself and my family," Goldstein said.
"The feeling around the club and the confidence that Rhyce gave me and showed me where we were headed, it was a bit of a no-brainer in the end.
"I really believe in the direction that we're headed and that was the biggest carrot for me to stay.
"I love the group of players we've got, we've got good relationships there and with the coaching staff and off-field staff, we're one club and that's a really nice feeling and you definitely want to achieve something at this club."
Higgins, Goldstein and Kangaroos midfielder Ben Cunnington will line up for Victoria in the State of Origin for Bushfire Relief match on February 28.
Despite the proximity to the season and the careful management of players over the summer months, Higgins is expecting a willing and competitive match between Victoria and the All-Stars.
"I'm sure when the ball is bounced, [pre-season management] really won't come into the mindset of the players," he said.
"You'll want to put your best foot forward and you're representing both your football club and the state and many people who have been affected over the last couple of months so I'm sure it will be a tough game and one that hopefully is a great spectacle."
Goldstein didn't live and breathe football growing up like Higgins did, but said the notion of wearing the state's jumper wasn't lost on him.
"Any time you get the opportunity to put on 'the Big V', you understand the history that comes with that and the players and the performances that have gone before us," he said.
"You definitely want to live up to that."
