The pressure has been released, now caretaker North Melbourne coach Leigh Adams is hoping his Kangaroos can relish their new-found freedom.
Fresh off breaking a 14-game losing streak with a memorable triumph over Richmond, North will host Hawthorn in Hobart on Saturday in what looms as another winnable game.
A victory over the Hawks could allow the Kangaroos could jump off the bottom-of-the-ladder, just two weeks after a second straight wooden spoon seemed certain to be collected at Arden St.
"You lose so many games in a row and the pressure mounts on everyone," Adams said on Thursday.
"Players, coaches, the media probably speculate a little bit more and puts that pressure on ... I'm not sure if it's the release of (that) pressure.
"When you lose game after game you start to think 'if I turn this ball over or if I make this decision, does it affect us, does it affect the team in a negative way?'
"When you've lost a fair few games in a row, you nearly forget what the feeling of winning is.
"For the boys to get that feeling and our supporters and members to get that feeling, it was great."
It will be the second time North meet Hawthorn this season, after the Hawks secured a 20-point win at the MCG in round one.
But the Kangaroos will be in more familiar surrounds this time, with Hawthorn making their debut at Blundstone Oval in Tasmania's capital city.
Adams has stuck with the same team that defeated the Tigers by four points, while triple premiership forward Jack Gunston is back for Hawthorn following two weeks out with personal leave after the sudden death of his father Ray.
In a blow to the Hawks' backline, speedy defender Changkuoth Jiath has been sidelined with a knee injury.
