Defiant North Melbourne coach Brad Scott is adamant the Kangaroos will turn their sputtering AFL season around despite remaining winless after three rounds.
North led Hawthorn by as much as 27 points in Sunday's clash at the MCG but slipped to a 0-3 record after what became a disappointing 13.9 (87) to 10.11 (71) loss.
The Roos had a busy off-season, bringing in Jared Polec, Jasper Pittard, Dom Tyson and Aaron Hall, but with seven new players in the line-up on against the Hawks team chemistry is proving elusive.
"It's frustrating because I can see good signs, but they're not consistent enough and we're not doing it for long enough," Scott said.
"It's a long season and it's been a tough start for us but the competition is see-sawing all over the place at the moment.
"It will take a while for it to settle down and we've just got to hang in because I think the foundation of what we're trying to do is still pretty sound.
"But we're not executing it for long enough at the moment ... it's only for small periods in games."
Scott bristled when pressed on selection for round four, refusing to "put someone's head on a platter".
In other Sunday action, Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe copped a sickening concussion as the Dockers overcame a late scare to beat St Kilda 11.5 (71) to 9.12 (66) at Optus Stadium.
In the early game at Marvel Stadium, Gold Coast upset the Western Bulldogs 10.13 (73) to 9.14 (68) to improve to a surprise 2-1 record.
Brisbane's stunning start to the season continued with a 16.11 (107) to 13.12 (90) win over Port Adelaide at the Gabba on Saturday night that improved their record to 3-0.
Eric Hipwood starred with six goals for the Lions, with young Port star Connor Rozee booting five in just his third AFL game.
West Coast came out on top of another enthralling battle with Collingwood, the reigning premiers prevailing 15.8 (98) to 11.10 (76) at the MCG on Saturday night.
In his first game back from a lengthy suspension that kept him from the Eagles' premiership side, Andrew Gaff was superb with 35 possessions.
Richmond's season took another turn for the worse with skipper Trent Cotchin (hamstring) and Jayden Short (elbow) injured in a 19.11 (125) to 10.16 (76) loss to GWS at Giants Stadium also on Saturday.
Jeremy Cameron rocketed to the front in the race for the Coleman Medal with seven goals.
Sydney scored their first win of the season with their 14.9 (93) to 10.14 (74) victory at Marvel Stadium condemning Carlton to an 0-3 record.
Melbourne face a week of intense scrutiny and soul-searching after Essendon, who lost Kobe Mutch to injury in the first quarter, opened their account with a pulsating 20.10 (130) to 18.4 (112) win at the MCG on Friday night.
Geelong maintained their perfect record with a 14.15 (99) to 10.15 (75) win over the Crows at Adelaide Oval in the first game of the round on Thursday night.
