Kangaroos move on from Tassie mauling

ANDREW Swallow says the Kangaroos are a different team to the side that was smashed by Hawthorn on its last Tassie trip.

Andrew Swallow

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, Hawthorn walloped the Kangaroos by 115 points.

Five weeks later, they're looking to build on three straight wins and reassure fans at a sold-out Bellerive.
"A lot's changed," Swallow said before today's clash with 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 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."

Swallow says the Roos' 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 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."

But West Coast assistant coach David Teague said he was confident the Eagles' much-publicised forward press could bring North Melbourne's slick running game to a halt.

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.

Under coach John Worsfold, the third-placed Eagles have mastered one of the most impressive presses in the game, often pinning the ball inside their own half of the ground for extended periods.

Teague is well aware of what will happen if North can weave its way through West Coast's defensive wall, but is backing his players in.

"We played them earlier in the year and our pressure was good. If we can bring that pressure again, we are confident we will have a good result," Teague said yesterday.

"If our press is up and going, it works but if we are one or two metres off, it can make our press look silly, they can get out the back and score easy goals.

"North Melbourne did that last time, they got a couple of goals where they got through us.

"I think they are the No.1 team for handball efficiency and they go through the corridor, which is more Geelong style."

Last Sunday against St Kilda, Daniel Wells and Leigh Adams (34 possessions and two goals each) and Swallow (27 touches, 13 tackles) got off the leash, but West Coast won't be targeting any individual to shut down.

"If you put too much attention into one (player), someone else will bob up," Teague said. with AAP.