The Kangaroos head into the season's first general bye with three wins, three losses and one draw, and may have been better placed if not for some dead spots in its defeats.
Adelaide beat the Kangaroos by 33 points at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night, which wasn't how the club or coach Dean Laidley had hoped to finish the first seven rounds according to veteran Brent Harvey.
"We went down on Monday morning and Dean gave us a bit of a cook, which was [fair enough], Harvey said. "We let ourselves down in one quarter of footy again and the same sort of things keep popping up and we've got to address them.
"One thing with Dean Laidley though, he brings you in, does your review, gives you a good cook and after that he says 'Make sure when you walk out this door, everything's positive.' It's a good place to be around all the time.
"Obviously, Monday's a bit hard when you lose but as soon as you walk out you've got to have your chin up because if he sees you with your chin down, he'll give you another spray. Not a lot of the boys want that."
The players and coaching staff will have a lighter week as the competition commits to the tribute match, in which Harvey is poised to represent Victoria.
However, the challenge of the next fixture – against West Coast at Carrara – is in the back of their minds.
North Melbourne hasn't beaten the Eagles since round 13, 2004, a streak which Harvey hopes to end.
"It's been a while; the last [five] games or something we haven't beaten them," he said. "Dean said that on Monday and we had a really light training session yesterday. A few of the boys have today off, so I think it will be a bit more refreshing this week, mentally.
"Just get yourself right mentally and when we come to the football club first thing Monday, that's when we'll really start to focus on the West Coast Eagles."
The Kangaroos may expect the return of reliable defender Josh Gibson, who has been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury against Melbourne in round four.
The 24-year-old plans to play for Werribee in the VFL, while promising youngster Jesse Smith could test out his troublesome ankle for North Ballarat.
"I think both of them are playing VFL," Harvey said. "Josh was nearly ready to go on the weekend, we just didn't want to risk him.
"Being the bye week this week, he'll run around in the VFL and I dare say he'll come straight back into the senior team. Jesse Smith needs a real good game in the VFL to get his ankle right and get back into the seniors."
