North Melbourne's VFL side rounded out its pre-season with a 14-point win over Essendon at Arden Street Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The Roos ran out 14.11 (95) to 11.15 (81) victors, with small forward Zac Banch the standout with three goals.

NMFC Media spoke with coach Adam Marcon following the match.

What the coach said

"We had another really strong hitout in our last practice match against Essendon," Marcon said.

"It was a tight contest all day. Despite Essendon getting within three points in the last quarter, we were able to hold them off and score a couple of late goals ourselves to win by 14 points.

"The players did a great job of rectifying a few focus areas we had going into the game. A big focus of ours has been the connection between our AFL and VFL-listed players, which is something we are seeing improvements in each week.  

"We now have the weekend off with the Round 1 VFL bye before we commence our season in Round 2 out at the (NEC) Hangar."

Zac Banch

"'Banchy' was a real standout on the weekend with his speed and pressure at ground level.

"He was able to hit the scoreboard with three goals but also linked us up really well inside 50. He was tough in the contest and his work rate was also fantastic."

Aidan Corr

"'Corry' played three quarters this week as he continues to build his match fitness.

"He was strong with his defensive positioning behind the ball and as a result was able to either intercept or spoil at critical moments in the game.

"His communication and experience continues to be really valuable, particularly for the youthful defenders around him."

Bailey Scott

"'Scotty' has had a couple of really good games in a row. His contest work and ability to overlap run is something we value highly.

"His work rate and ability to connect our team in transition was a highlight on the weekend."

Luke Urquhart

"'Urqs' received a knock to his knee early in the game and we took a cautious approach and removed him as he was dealing with some soreness.

"We are hopeful that it is only minor and that he recovers well this week. He started the game well and continues to work on his stoppage craft and transition."

Zac Fisher

"'Fish' started the game really positively in his forward role and was able to both hit the scoreboard and set others up with scoring assists.

"His ability to play his role and run his patterns in the front half were highlights of his game."

Riley Hardeman

"'Hardy' looked strong and powerful at VFL level on the weekend. Importantly, he was really strong defensively for us back there. As always, he provided great run and drive with that booming left foot."

Wil Dawson

"'Shotty' has been working really hard on his defensive craft and that came to fruition on the weekend with his aerial contest work.

"He is tenacious at every contest and was really important for us behind the ball."

Callum Coleman-Jones

"'CJ' rucked really strongly and also provided a great option around the ground throughout the game.

"His aerial work and follow-up at ground level has been really pleasing and is having a big impact with our young midfield group in terms of our ability to win or halve contests."

Hugo Mikunda

"Hugo had some really exciting moments, particularly with his rebound off half-back.

He reads the flight of the ball well and is able to turn the ball over for us. He is playing on some dangerous forwards each week and is learning how best to position himself on them."

Josh Goater

After playing a mixture of wing and half-back and performing strongly both with ball in hand and defensively, Goater was later removed from the contest as a precaution due to experiencing some low-level quad tightness in his kicking leg.

"We will assess his ability to train based off his symptoms early in the week," North Melbourne head of performance Kevin White said.

Brayden George

"'Sausage' played a mixture of forward and wing and showed great acceleration with his foot work and penetration with his kicking," Marcon said.

"He was really sharp in reading the cues and this benefited him in terms of his ability to impact more contests. He finished with a goal and set another couple up."

Matt Whitlock

"'Whitters' continues to show development in his understanding of the forward patterns and craft required to play as a key tall.

"He works really hard up and down the ground and was again able to hit the scoreboard for us with two goals."

River Stevens

"'Riv' had some really tenacious moments of pressure on the weekend for us. Pleasingly, when the game got within three points in the last quarter, he was able to hit the scoreboard and finish the game really strongly." 

Cooper Harvey

"Cooper's positioning in the defensive end is improving every week.

"He is working hard on his defensive craft during the week and his ability on the weekend to be in good positions and then read the cues up the field to then win or halve his contest was a real step forward for him."

Robbie Hansen jnr

Hansen jnr was a carryover emergency for the AFL squad and didn't feature against the Bombers.