After Saturday night’s win over Sydney, North now has four wins next to its name from the opening seven rounds; well beyond what many predicted.

While the second-youngest list in the competition continues to defy the odds, for midfielder Ben Jacobs the commentary is nothing but white noise.

“The criticism never got to us in the pre-season when everyone wrote us off, and it doesn’t matter now,” Jacobs told North Media.

“If people rate us now it doesn’t bother us either.

“What matters is what we do within the four walls of the club, and we just want to keep building a good reputation.”

North’s journey towards building a good reputation will only be made easier by winning games like it did at the SCG.

Despite falling behind in the final term, the Kangaroos refused to give in, digging deep in the dying stages to secure a two-point win.

“The last two minutes felt longer than the game,” Jacobs said.

“Sydney in Sydney isn’t easy, especially when they got that lead in the last.

“The win just typifies the work we’ve done, and it’s a great win.”

Jarrad Waite and Majak Daw have been solid contributors this season, so many were unsure how their absences would impact the side. With quality players like Mason Wood and Sam Wright coming into the side, the holes were adequately filled.

“I thought Mason was great,” Jacobs said.

“He took contested marks and helped out the other forwards like Browny, especially without Waitey today. I thought he was great and clutch in the end.

“It was great to get the win with Wrighty. To see Sammy back was great, it’s been so long and he slotted in perfectly. I couldn’t be happier for him.”