The Kangaroos came from behind to pinch the third NAB Cup game at Etihad Stadium, with young forward Aaron Black kicking the sealer with 40 seconds left.
After losing six games by less than 13 points last season, including three by less than four, the Tigers have focused on maintaining their composure when the pressure goes up this summer.
Hardwick said it "would have been nice" to have claimed the win and conceded the Tigers blew their chances with two missed goals late in the game.
Still, he left key players Brett Deledio, Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Shane Tuck on the bench in the game's final minutes, signalling the pre-season hit-out wasn't a do-or-die affair.
"We had our opportunity to win the game; we just didn't on this occasion," Hardwick said.
"It would have been nice. We had the last two shots on goal so we probably didn't nail it.
"To a degree [there were elements of what had been practiced at training] but we had a pretty inexperienced side out there towards the end.
"There were some young boys trying to make some decisions, and structurally we made a few mistakes, so that's something we'll go through on the tape."
For North Melbourne coach Brad Scott, the victory - and the Roos' two-point win over Melbourne - was the perfect pre-season result, with no injuries an added bonus.
"Winning becomes a habit for good teams and those that find a way to win," Scott said.
"I think back to the Geelong game last week … they find a way to win, those guys, they've done it for so long.
"For us, we're trying to develop that winning feeling and regardless of what people say about the competition - I think it's in great shape.
"Melbourne and Richmond certainly played their best available squads and we did too, so I thought the quality of footy was pretty good tonight."
Scott said the fact both games were won by less than a goal, with young players Majak Daw, Daniel Currie, Will Sierakowski and Jordan Gysberts impressing at times, made the results worth even more.
"You want to expose your players to that winning feeling in tight games as often as you can," he said.
"There are certain things you want to be able to do when the game is tight, whether you're a little bit down or up.
"You can practice that at training all you like but until you've some genuine pressure you don't know how you're going to go, so it's always good to come out the right side."
Hardwick said he was pleased with the Tigers' intensity but they continued last year's pattern of being let down by ball use.
"What we've got to get better at is capitalising on those turnovers," he said.
"I thought our ball use once again was a little bit scrappy last year and probably continued that trend a little bit tonight.
"We'll go back and have a look at it and rectify it and try and get it better."
Jennifer Phelan is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenPhelan.
