North Melbourne VFL coach David Loader admits there is still plenty of room for improvement from the young Roos ahead of the high-stakes meeting with Box Hill.

North will host the high-flying Hawks on Saturday afternoon at Avalon Airport Oval with its eyes firmed affixed on securing back-to-back wins for the first time in the season proper.

“The clear message from us has been for the boys to follow up,” Loader told North Media.

“We’ve learnt a lot from the last three games, where we took steps forward from the Essendon game to the Richmond game. But then bigger steps from the Richmond game to Port Melbourne.

“Coming off that result, we went through what worked a bit better with what we’ve been trailing and what we’ve been close to getting right.

“There’s still massive room for improvement, but we’ve got a lot of the stuff we’ve really been aiming to do right. To follow on from that will be the key for us going forward.”

After a month of superb footy in the VFL, dominant key defender Sam Durdin has gained senior selection with North’ AFL side.

Loader says the pathway and subsequent transition for North’s emerging players is crucial for their development, particularly when opportunities arise.

“His [Sam Durdin] form has been sensational for a month now,” he added. 

“I’m just rapt that he’s been able to show that level of consistency, if and when an opportunity arises that they’re ready to go.

“That’s vitally important for us as a VFL team, to support our AFL side.

“When opportunities pop up, we aim to have someone in each area of the ground that can come in and fill that role. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

Fans are invited to attend Saturday’s VFL match against Box Hill at Avalon Airport Oval, with the first bounce at 2.10pm. Entry to home games is free for NMFC members.