“Confidence is reasonably high but North are a quality team with a good coach and experienced players so it is going to take a lot of hard work and we have to do all the right things but it should be a pretty good contest,” coach Chris Hills said.

Hills said North’s experience shone through in round 1 after the Blues challenged early and they will have to maintain pressure and work rate for the full four quarters to win.

“Our work rate has improved and we’re enjoying each other as a team - there seems to be a bit of a bond forming there in the last few games and we’re working hard for each other. Pressure is always going to be the key to beating North and they will try to intimidate us and they can do that having won two premierships – but we have to play our game and not worry about it.”