Daniel Wells will be drawing on last year’s finals for motivation this weekend when North faces Adelaide in a do-or-die encounter.

The elite midfielder missed the last September campaign due to injury but says nothing will stop him this time around.

“It’s been a long time coming for me,” Wells told NMFC.com.au.

"The injury last year was really deflating, but to play and get in the finals this year … it’s been a long year again, but to be a part of it is fantastic.”

The number eight played just two games last season due to Achilles’ problems, but has bounced back with 18 in 2016.

“It was always a case of getting my body right and the Achilles. I responded really well from a couple of things we did over the break.

“The guys have been fantastic looking after my body this year, and I’m just happy to play my part this year. Hopefully on Saturday night I can play it again.”

Wells also missed the last match against Adelaide in Round 14, a game in which the Crows’ midfielders played a big part in the result.

He's hopeful he can play a role in turning the tide against the likes of Scott Thompson, Matt and Brad Crouch and the returning Rory Sloane.

“Those players are fantastic players,” Wells said.

“Obviously he’s (Sloane) All-Australian this year and coming back from suspension he’s going to be raring to go.

“They’ve got great players throughout the whole team, so we’re going to have to just watch pretty much all of them.”

Wells says and he and his teammates will be doing everything in their power to win for the club’s departing champions.

Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo will be farewelled at the end of North’s year, but Wells is confident that won’t be for a few weeks yet.

“They’ve been an unbelievable part of our history,” he said.

“We want to perform for them and the whole club and all our members.

“They are feeling like they just want to play their part too. That’s the kind of blokes they are, just full of class, and they make sure they can pull their weight just as much as anyone.