North Adelaide confident ahead of semi-final with Eagles after snapping five-match losing streak

NORTH Adelaide will head into this weekend's first semi-final against Woodville-West Torrens knowing its best football is capable of causing another upset.

Roosters fired up for Eagles clash

NORTH Adelaide will head into this weekend's first semi-final against Woodville-West Torrens knowing its best football is capable of causing another upset.

The Roosters snapped their five-game losing streak with a surprise 20.16 (136) to 10.14 (74) win over Central District in the elimination final at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.

North cut the Bulldogs open with a handball-happy running game that made the most of the ground's wide expanses.

It finished with 154 handballs compared to Central's 98 and a 58-44 inside 50 dominance.

Along the way there were few signs of the side that many considered to be finals fodder because of its poor form in the back half of the season.

Roosters coach Josh Francou said he never doubted his team could match it with the competition's best.

"You never lose your ability, you just lose your confidence and that's probably where we were at over the previous five weeks," Francou said.

"'How can we turn this around?' That was the question I was asking myself a million times a day.

"There's obviously a belief within the group that we are (premiership contenders) because otherwise we wouldn't be here, we might as well pack our bags and go home now.

"We showed that we are a good side in the competition."

The Roosters started sluggishly, as Central, which was kicking with a strong breeze, skipped out to a 20-point lead.

North was scoreless until Daniel Stewart kicked a behind 17 minutes into the term and goalless until the Power-listed forward kicked truly about a minute later.

Central led by 17 points at quarter time but the next three quarters were all North.

The Roosters' forward pressure was impressive, regularly forcing turnovers across half-back, and their skills were cleaner than the Bulldogs.

Chad O'Sullivan, playing against his old side, all but sealed the win when he kicked a goal from a 25m penalty to stretch the lead to 29 points six minutes into the final term.

From there it became a procession.

The Roosters piled on nine goals for the quarter with Leigh Ryswyk (four goals) and Crow Lewis Johnston (three goals) playing key roles in attack.

North finished with the biggest score Central has conceded all season.

"To get a bit of spark and play the game on our terms for three and a half quarters was pleasing," Francou said.

Francou said omitting club stalwart Luke Ivens at selection was a "tough call" but he remained in contention for a call-up.