HOW DO you quell hulking Tom Hawkins?

North Melbourne's defensive general Scott Thompson believes it's a case of many hands make life bearable when it comes to one of the AFL's genuine power forwards.

Thompson is likely to be Hawkins' direct opponent when Geelong host the Kangaroos on Friday night.

"He's one of the strongest players in the AFL. He's a big body and one of the best forwards in the game," Thompson said.

"Whoever lines up on him will be pretty nervous."

The incumbent All Australian full-back suggested one of North's strengths this season had been selfless defending.

The 28-year-old revealed team-first defence had been a focus since pre-season training, adding that more of the same would be needed to stop the Cats' forward line.

"This season we've had our direct match-ups, but always been looking to help each other out," Thompson said.

"As defenders, we rely on each other; we also rely on our midfielders getting back.

"We worked on it pretty hard in the pre-season, and we've kept working on it since.

"I've talked to a lot of people who have won premierships and they always say you need a good defensive line - not just good individuals."

Thompson lamented Travis Cloke's four goals against North in round five and the side's other two losses this season.

The Kangaroos' reigning best and fairest has spent little time assessing his own recent form.

"I've really been looking more at the team defence, I take a bit of responsibility for it and try to set things up," he said.

"We've been pretty good in most games ... we've all built up that confidence and trust in each other."

The way North's defenders peel off to crash packs and snaffle intercept marks hasn't been lost on Geelong.

"The ability of their big guys to read the ball coming in is a huge asset," Hawkins said earlier this week.

The Kangaroos will be without injured defender Nathan Grima for another week, but Hawkins and Thompson both highlighted their defensive depth.