Jarrad Waite might be new to North Melbourne's AFL finals campaign but carries some scars of his own from their semi-final opponents Sydney.
The 32-year-old has been a valuable addition to North in his first season since leaving Carlton, starring in the Kangaroos' 17-point elimination final win on Sunday over Richmond.
Waite kicked four goals and laid a season-high seven tackles including a match-sealing hit on Brett Deledio in the final minutes.
The Kangaroos must travel to ANZ Stadium to take on the Swans, who thrashed them by 71 points last year in the preliminary final.
While he wasn't part of that defeat, Waite said he also hadn't fared too well in finals against Sydney at the same venue.
"I haven't had too much luck with Sydney either; they've beaten us both times to kick us out of the finals when I was at Carlton so it hasn't been great for me," Waite said.
In a 2013 semi-final, Waite kicked three goals against the Swans but the Blues fell by 24 points and, in 2010, also at ANZ Stadium, he again booted three in a heartbreaking five-point defeat.
Waite felt the difference in the personnel at both clubs meant the Kangaroos wouldn't carry too much baggage from last year's loss.
The Kangaroos are also much fresher this year after resting a swag of stars, including himself, in the final round of the regular season.
While they had two tough matches leading into Sydney last year and the Swans had a week off, this season, Sydney have done it tough after the long-haul to Perth for a losing battle with minor premiers Fremantle.
But Waite said under-manned Sydney had been impressive against the Dockers.
"They're an impressive team overall," Waite said.
"Every year, you see everyone saying they won't make the eight but they continually show why they're such a good team.
"We'll have to be at our absolute best otherwise maybe what happened last year to the boys will happen again."
Waite said playing finals footy had vindicated his decision to leave the Blues, but he didn't take any pleasure in seeing them pick up the wooden spoon.
"It didn't work out for them this year and ... I don't take any enjoyment out of seeing them go as bad as they did."
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