Veteran Adam Simpson said that intensity has been one of Laidley's main messages on the track over the summer, knowing it is one part of a game his players can dictate.
"We want to achieve consistent intensity this year," he said. "[It includes] aggression at the footy and it doesn't matter who you're playing, you've got control over it.
"Sometimes you get beaten on talent and someone might bob up. (Essendon forward Matthew) Lloyd might kick 10 goals even if you've tried your hardest.
"But as long as the intent's there, [it should hold us in good stead]."
Simpson added that Brent Harvey, who replaced him as captain in November, has ensured his teammates have carried that approach into training.
"All you want to do is keep fit and start playing some good games and train with some good intensity," Simpson said.
"That's the captain's responsibility, along with the leaders – to make sure the team are consistent with that.
"We've been working well with that and Boomer's been doing a really good job."
North lacked intensity in the first half of 2008, losing seven of its first 14 games before regrouping for a six-game winning streak.
However, efforts across the ground waned in the later stages of the season – particularly against 13th-placed Port Adelaide in round 22 and the Sydney Swans in a disappointing elimination final.
Four of the Roos' 10 losses came against sides that didn't make the finals.
Though eventual wooden spooner Melbourne wasn't among them, the Roos open their campaign against the Demons on March 29.
Melbourne started pre-season training before any other club on October 13, which makes Simpson all the more wary.
"They've had a pre-season similar to what we did in '06 for the '07 year," he said. "We started early and got as fit as we could so round one we were full strength and up and running.
"That's what Melbourne have done and we certainly can't take that lightly. We came from really far back in '06 (14th) and '07 had a really good impact."
Dream Team watch – Adam Simpson is rated a $388,000 midfielder in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009
