Jack Ziebell believes North Melbourne will use the confidence gained from last week’s strong finish for motivation on Sunday.

The Roos kicked the final five goals of the match against Port Adelaide to cut a 41-point deficit to just 16 in the final quarter, a positive sign heading into the clash against Carlton.

“It was a little bit disappointing and frustrating that it took us until the last quarter for us to play that way, against what is a quality side in Port Adelaide,” Ziebell told North Media.

“We’ll look to take that momentum from last weekend and use it from the word go against a really improved Carlton outfit. They’re going really well at the moment, so it’s going to be a big challenge for us on Sunday.”

For the young players such as Nick Larkey, Cameron Zurhaar and Tarryn Thomas, who were impressive last Friday night, the captain believes performances like that will only boost their confidence.

“For us as a team, it’s about that consistency, and we’ll reward those younger guys for their good performances and try and encourage them to do that again,” Ziebell said.

Those young Roos will be aided by the return of veteran midfielder Shaun Higgins, who has overcome and illness which ruled him out of Round 6.

The omission of the 31-year-old allowed Ziebell to spend more time in the middle of the ground.

“It was nice to be back around the contest and have a little bit more of an impact than I did against the Bombers," the skipper said.

“We’re still deciding what’s best for the team with the coach, but Higgo will be back and no doubt doing what he does best in the middle and I’ll look to be up there a bit more than I was in the first five rounds.

“I think when you’re around the ball you can have a bit more of an input into what happens.

“Sometimes as a forward you can sort of get stuck up one end, and if the ball’s not coming down there too much you feel a little bit helpless. To be in the midfield and to be able to have an impact helps me as captain.”

Sitting with the unenviable season tally of 1-5, North knows the importance of this match, and Ziebell believes Sunday’s 22 has what it takes to bounce back.

“We’re hugely confident,” he added.

“No doubt it’s been a bit of a rough start to the year for everyone involved, but we’re very close to turning it around.

“We’re going up against a quality side in Carlton, but we’re all hell-bent on getting back onto the winners’ list.”