NORTH Melbourne might have recorded its best start to a season since 2005, but coach Brad Scott says the Roos have a lot of work to do to get back to their best football.
Before their comeback win over Adelaide in round one this year, North had not won its first home and away match in Scott's six previous seasons as coach.
The Roos followed up their breakthrough victory against the Crows with a comfortable away win against the Brisbane Lions last Saturday, a 2-0 start their best since winning their first five games under Dean Laidley 11 years ago.
Scott told reporters on Thursday he was pleased to be undefeated after two rounds, but said his team was still some way off top form.
"We don't think we're necessarily shooting the lights out as a team," Scott said.
"We've certainly got a pretty good balance at the moment between our attack and defence. The contested ball and the clearance area is going pretty well for us, but it's just putting it all together.
"The really pleasing thing is we're doing a lot of things right, but we're still not playing our very, very best footy.
"I think it's a sign of a good side that you can win and be really pleased with that, but still acknowledge that you've got a lot of work to do."
Scott was hopeful that key defender Scott Thompson (general soreness) and small forward Kayne Turner (hamstring) would be available for selection against Melbourne this Sunday after both were late withdrawals against the Lions.
"Scotty didn't miss by much last week but he'll need to get through a fitness test just to be sure later in the week," Scott said.
Thompson warmed up away from North's main group before training on Thursday with some stationary kicking drills, but was expected to complete the session.
The Roos play Melbourne in their first Tasmanian game of the season at Blundstone Arena and will go into the match on the back of a six-game winning streak at the Hobart venue and a 14-game winning streak against the Demons.
Scott Thompson gets a handball away at North Melbourne training on Thursday. Picture: AFL Media
Scott said North's good record at its southern home ground was due in part to its knowledge of the variable local conditions, but primarily to the overwhelming support they received from Hobart fans.
But the Roos coach said such a streak would count for nothing on Sunday.
"To be on a streak is for fans. There are things that are nice that the fans can talk about, but players and coaches don't focus on those things at all in my experience," Scott said.
"Melbourne is a different outfit. We know they'll be coming out really aggressively and be really looking forward to the contest this week.
"We expect them to be really fierce and their NAB Challenge form was really positive. They looked like they had some slightly different ways of moving the ball and setting up.
"We'll just plan for their best and hope we can counter that."
