It is no coincidence when George Wardlaw returned from four games out with a hamstring injury last week, the Kangaroos broke their five-match losing streak and beat the Western Bulldogs for the first time in seven years.
Also known as Gentleman George for his off-field demeanour, "Warlord" Wardlaw is a repeat-effort midfield beast who looms as a key player in Saturday's game against Geelong at Marvel Stadium.
"Without a doubt ... he makes all our boys walk a little bit taller," coach Alastair Clarkson said.
"He's such an inspirational player, everyone just loves the way he goes about it - I think I talk not just for North Melbourne supporters, but anyone who watches the game.
"That tenacity to get from contest to contest and repeat efforts - sometimes (it's) three, four, five efforts, all in the one passage of play. It's pretty rare."
The seventh-placed Cats will show whether Wardlaw's return helped give North a one-off sugar hit, or if the Kangaroos (13th) can finish off the season with a flourish.
North only trailled the Cats at GMHBA Stadium by four points at the start of May, only for Geelong to smash them for the rest of the game and win by 49 points.
Geelong are also in the midst of the fallout from the secret concussion deal with Jake Kolodjashnij, who will not play this weekend.
"What we can't control is what's going on at the Cattery ... all we'll do is prepare for Geelong's best.
"Their best is pretty potent.
"Does it distract them, what's going on at the footy club, or does it actually galvanise them? I've seen it work both ways."
North are unchanged, while Geelong will regain captain Patrick Dangerfield and Mitch Edwards.
It will be a big day for the Kangaroos, whose all-conquering women's team start their premiership defence against Geelong in the early game of the Marvel Stadium double-header.
The back-to-back AFLW premiers will unfurl their flag pre-game. Â
"We've really relied on the girls for the last couple of years to be the ... big part of the positivity around our football club," Clarkson said.
"Rightfully so, they deserve the accolades."
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