Ask North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow what’s changed since his side was on the end of 13 goals from Lance Franklin when last in Tasmania and his answer is simple – a lot.
On a dark day for the Kangaroos, and in territory where they are desperately trying to win supporters, Hawthorn walloped them by 115 points.
Five weeks later, they’re looking to build on three straight wins and reassure southern fans at a sold-out Bellerive.
“A lot’s changed,” Swallow told reporters on Friday, 24 hours ahead of the Kangaroos’ clash with high-flying West Coast.
“There were a few things we had to tweak and we’ve been able to do that.
“The competitive spirit’s back, the hunger’s there and the guys are really starting to play for each other.
“I think the big thing is we’re getting a good, even contribution from a lot of the players.”
A bye the week after Buddy’s big day worked wonders for embattled North, who parted ways with chief executive Eugene Arocca before sneaking home against winless Gold Coast.
An impressive win over Adelaide and last weekend’s 33-point victory over St Kilda put them in the top eight and promising again to fulfil their potential.
Swallow says their style of footy hasn’t changed – they’re just doing it better, despite a perception they’re handballing more.
“It’s funny, people talk about the sort of style we’re playing at the moment and maybe it’s the way it looks on TV but it’s nothing that we’ve been specifically coached to do,” he said.
“I think it’s just a result of the amount of run and spread that we’re getting from our guys.”
But against the Eagles’ “press” defence, he admitted that handballing might prove a useful weapon.
“It may give us an advantage at times but we’ve also got to be careful that we can turn the footy over pretty easily if their pressure’s good enough,” he said.
The third-placed Eagles beat North by 25 points in round six in Perth and are coming off a 126-point drubbing of the Suns.
They will be motivated by star midfielder Daniel Kerr playing his 200th game after it had looked like his career could be cut short by injury.
“As a West Coast supporter, I used to love watching him and how he went about it,” West Australian Swallow said.
“He’s so tough at the footy and provides them with great run as well.
“(He) looks like he’s back to his best after injury-interrupted seasons.
“I think the last couple of times we’ve played them, we’ve been able to contain him so it’s another challenge for the boys.”