North Melbourne coach Brad Scott doesn't want his players to use the 'F' word, but he knows the club's fans probably won't be able to resist.
The Kangaroos (6-4) moved up to fifth spot on the ladder following Sunday's 28-point win over Fremantle.
North Melbourne were widely tipped to struggle this year, but now have an excellent chance to seal a finals berth given their soft draw to finish the home-and-away season.
Seven of North Melbourne's remaining 12 games are against sides currently outside of the top eight, including two clashes each with lowly Brisbane and the Bulldogs.
However, Scott is well aware of how quickly the wheels can fall off.
In 2016, North Melbourne won their opening nine games, before suffering a form slump so dramatic that they only just scraped into the finals.
Scott is happy with his team's form, but says the subject of finals is off the agenda within the club's four walls.
"We just don't talk about it," Scott said.
"Fans and media can dream and speculate but we just work really hard on what we're doing ... and staying present and focused on what we need to improve on."
Evergreen Jarrad Waite was crucial on Sunday, booting three second-half goals in the wet.
Scott also praised 200-game ruckman Todd Goldstein, who halved his battle against Aaron Sandilands.
"I thought Goldstein was enormous for us, both in his hit-outs and at ground level," Scott said.
"It was the Todd Goldstein of old."
Scott was also proud of the way Shaun Higgins handled his physical battering from Fremantle's players.
"Clearly they targeted Higgins and he fought through it pretty well," Scott said.
"He had (24) possession and was influential around the contest.
"Shaun Higgins is as good as anyone I have ever seen at being able to control his emotions. Freo came after him and I thought he weathered the storm really well."
North Melbourne will start as hot favourites against Brisbane at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
