North Adelaide is flourishing despite the absence of James Allan and James Bennett

NORTH Adelaide's standing as a premiership contender has been built on contribution from its midfield which no longer relies on one or two players.

NORTH Adelaide's standing as a premiership contender has been built on an even contribution from its midfield which no longer relies on one or two players to dominate games.

The Roosters are sitting second on the ladder with six games remaining and are considered a serious threat to Norwood going back-to-back.

And all this without its two most prolific ball-winners of the past five years - James Allan and James Bennett - who left the club last season.

Only twice in the past six weeks has a North Adelaide player finished a game with more than 30 disposals.

Last year Allan and Bennett did it nearly every week.

On Saturday the Roosters dismantled Port Adelaide by 73 points at Prospect, yet their highest ball-winner was Cohen Thiele with 25.

North had five others with 20-plus disposals including Ben Williams who produced the best game of his league career.

"We talked about spreading the workload around the group and the mids that we've got who can rotate through there, they're not huge possession winners but what they do is play a role for us and we're not reliant on one or two players," North Adelaide coach Josh Francou said.

"It comes back to our recruiting in the off-season, we weren't out to get the best player available, obviously if you can then great, but they've also got to fit the mould that you want.

"Hence the reason we've gone out and got specific types of players, credit to Benny Williams and Timmy Delvins who's come back from a knee reconstruction last year, they fit that mould and add a lot to the group as a lot of others do.

"We've shown that with Joe Anderson going out of the side through injury and a Ben Williams or Delvins step in and play the same role."

Another of North Adelaide's shining lights on the weekend was Jake Keller who dominated Graham Johncock by taking front position and keeping him goalless.

"Jake did a really god job on him last time we played them at Alberton, he was one of our few winners (that day)," Francou said.

"He's the perfect match-up for Johncock because he's got good leg speed, Johncock is good aerially and Keller is strong.

"He's one of those other reliable defenders who just plays a role for us, he can play tall or small."