FINALS remain an "expectation" for the remodelled Kangaroos as they prepare to face Richmond in a season-defining clash for both clubs on Saturday night.
Spearhead Ben Brown, who is equal-seventh in the League goalkicking this year with 27, expects there to be growing pains for North Melbourne's young list, but a top-eight finish is still the goal.
The Roos took a drastic step towards the future at the end of last season, when they parted ways with Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo and saw Daniel Wells leave via free agency.
"Finals is always an expectation," Brown said.
"I think any player at AFL level wants to be involved in the finals series and that's what we look to do again this year.
"We had a couple of losses earlier in the year where we shot ourselves in the foot (after holding sizeable leads) and needed to learn a few lessons and I think we did that.
"We've built some pretty good form, but there are definitely some areas we need to improve … we're a pretty young side this year and we're going to have to learn lessons at particular points."
North had a wildly contrasting start to the season compared to the Tigers (6-4) – starting 0-5, while its round 11 opponent went 5-0 – but wins in four of its past five games has it back in the hunt for finals.
The Kangaroos boast wins in seven of their past eight contests with Richmond, but Brown said that record would count for little when they meet at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
"It's a massive game for us and I think a massive game for Richmond, too. It's going to be a good one to watch," he said.
"We've been building reasonably well over the last few weeks, but we know what Richmond's capable of.
"They had a couple of really close losses the last couple of weeks, so if they'd won those games they'd be right up the top of the ladder … it will be a difficult one."
Brown took on added responsibility with Jarrad Waite's injury and suspension-related absences, but the form of Kayne Turner, Taylor Garner, Mason Wood and Nathan Hrovat has excited him.
The Alex Rance-led Tiger backline will present a stiff test to North's forward group.
"I'll prepare for every eventuality (of who I will play on) and if that's Alex Rance or (David) Astbury, it doesn't matter for me," Brown said.
"Richmond has a very solid backline and we know it's going to be tough going, so we have to be really switched on from the first bounce.
"The good thing about us is it doesn't really matter who fires – it's a team effort. We're really excited about the forward line we've got together this year."
