North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson said his team was disappointed not to leave Perth with two wins from its pair of relocated home games, but Saturday night provided more evidence the team was "on the right path". 

A lack of polish in the front half was the difference, he said, as the Roos let several potential chances slip through skill errors. 

"A big focus for us was just to get our inside 50s up. We've been averaging 45 inside 50s a game to date, and to get 60 today is a step in the right direction for us," Clarkson said. 

"We just think if we get enough volume of inside 50s, the goals will eventually come. But we would just like to have a little bit more polish as we go across the arc.

"We're disappointed with the result, but really, really pleased with the process. We went about it the right way. And if you get the process right often enough, it'll eventually turn into victories."

Asked about the extent of their travel this season, playing at six different venues across their past seven matches, Clarkson said the Roos understood their requirement to hit the road in order to "balance the books". 

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"It's funny. I ran into Scotty Pendlebury, who was on the plane when I came back from the Hall of Fame on Wednesday, and he was laughing about the amount that we've had to travel, compared to the gift that they get playing at the MCG on a regular basis," Clarkson said.  

"But the Collingwood side are able to generate their revenue from their crowds and their opportunities. They get to play at the MCG and North aren't in that position at this current time. 

"We need to get on the road and play our games in Tassie, in this case WA, and we're happy to do so, because if we don't it puts the competition and our club in a perilous state if we can't balance the books."