NORTH Melbourne's horror run of close losses this season could be the making of it as a top side, says coach Brad Scott.
After the club's latest narrow defeat – a one-point loss to Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Friday night – Scott reiterated his belief in his players and his confidence in the club's direction.
He described the loss as different to the four others by under a goal this year, and urged his players to use the defeat as motivation next year and beyond.
"This season is just unfolding in extraordinary circumstances for us and it can be the making of us, or it can be the undoing of us," Scott said.
"We have to make sure it is the making of us, and if you do have great intestinal fortitude and character you build on these things.
"This could be a platform for us in the future, but it will only be that if we make it."
The 6-10 Roos now sit 11th on the ladder and two games out of the eight with only six rounds remaining, but Scott wasn't cursing his side's luck.
When the ball didn't bounce up to Brent Harvey in the dying moments, which would have likely given the Roos the win, Scott said "it wasn't to be." He had no reservations about keeping his side upbeat.
"It hasn't been an issue in my four years at North. Sometimes they're too coachable, they follow instructions to the absolute letter," he said.
"And that has been a challenge for us in games when circumstances change, because you can't call a time-out and you want them to play a bit more instinctively.
"All the intangibles that have been spoken about: heart, desire, endeavour, spirit. We've got that in spades."
Midfielder Jack Ziebell was helped off the ground with a right leg injury in the second quarter, and had it iced on the bench before returning to the field. Ziebell has broken his right leg twice already in his young career.
The Kangaroos' vice-captain finished with 19 disposals (13 contested) and laid seven tackles, despite Scott having a few nervous moments when he learned of the injury.
"When it came up the line that it was an injury around the old fracture site in his leg, it's a concern, because he's a tough, tough bloke, Jack Ziebell," Scott said.
"The word is that he's fine."
Scott said he didn't see an incident involving Carlton half-back Zach Tuohy when Ziebell returned to the field, when it appeared Tuohy toe-poked Ziebell in the injured part of his leg.
"I didn't … but it is what it is. I don't think that's going to worry Jack too much," Scott said when informed of the incident.
"Zach's probably lucky we're not playing in the seventies."
Callum Twomey is a reporter for the AFL website. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey.
