Brent Harvey is confident North Melbourne is capable of playing finals this year, but admits it's the last thing on the players' minds as they prepare for Sunday's must-win match against St Kilda.

"We haven't spoken about it, but like the old cliché, we've just got to take it one week at a time," Harvey said.

"If we can win the next three games there's a finals spot there for us, but there's a huge hurdle this week in St Kilda."

An embarrassing 104-point loss to the Saints in round two still weighs heavily on the mind of the inspirational captain, but he says it's a whole new ball game this time around.

"A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then. We'll know in the back of our minds that they've given us a good old thrashing, but we're going forward.

"We've got a whole new team, a new structure. I'm confident in every single game I play. If I wasn't confident in beating an opposition I probably wouldn't play the game."

Harvey has been in some of the best form of his career in recent weeks and could be in line for a record fifth Syd Barker Medal.

"I think I'm playing some okay football. It obviously helps when the team's playing good football as well.

"I always think I can improve, I think I can improve next year as well. When I stop thinking I can improve it's probably time to give the game away."

And the 32 year-old doesn't intend to hang up the boots any time soon. He's already re-signed for next year and is showing no sign of slowing down.

"I still love coming to training, I love spending time with the boys. It's pretty hard not to love coming to work with 48 of your mates. It's a fantastic place to be around, and I'm still enjoying it.

"A young coach, a new facility, it's pretty exciting times here. I'm hoping to play finals for the next two or three years."