WHEN results aren't going your way as a football team, a back-to-basics approach is often the answer and tackling is at the heart of that philosophy.

North Melbourne hadn't won a game going into Saturday's clash against Port Adelaide, but you wouldn't have guessed that if the Kangaroos' attitude to tackling were your only guide.

Brad Scott's men were at the Power all day and laid 60 tackles to a mere 37 in a dominant display that was the foundation for the 60-point win.

"It's something we put a pretty big focus on," defender Michael Firrito said after the game.

"Traditionally North Melbourne are hard at the footy and tackling and we spoke about it during the week and put a lot of time into it so it was a pleasing result.

"Our pressure was up all over the ground which was really good and gave us the opportunity to tackle and when we did, we made them stick which was great."

Lindsay Thomas continued his horror run in front of goal with 1.6 on the day, but he laid five tackles, including a tone-setting effort early in the game that let Sam Wright in for his first goal.

"I thought he led the way today with his tackling inside forward 50," Firrito said.

"The lack of goals is frustrating for Lindsay and probably frustrating for our supporters, but he'll keep working away at it.

"The pleasing thing is that he is doing those hard things and it's bringing other players into the game. While he didn't get the result himself on the scoreboard, he's bringing others into the game."

Firrito admitted to some relief at breaking the team's drought in 2011, but said he was looking to the coming weeks before he'd even warmed down from the match on Saturday.

"It has been frustrating and we've still got a hell of a lot of work to do," he said.

"We're in the position we are because of how we've played, so now we can only correct that by playing good footy.

"I think with winning comes a bit of confidence. When you start winning it does create confidence for the younger guys and the older players as well. Hopefully we can build on this and push forward."