North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley heaped praise on forward spearhead Nathan Thompson after he emerged from a difficult few weeks to play a vital role in his side's AFL win.

Thompson has battled indifferent form, being axed to the reserves and getting a death threat before standing up at a vital moment to turn the match against the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome.

With the Bulldogs whittling back a 50-point lead to just 18, Thompson marked and booted a goal after the third-quarter siren to ease any tension.

It came after Thompson picked up an ankle injury early in Sunday's match, and was only able to continue following pain-killing injections.

Laidley recognised Thompson's effort as pivotal in his team's 21.10 (136) to 18.8 (116) victory - making a point of going to the veteran forward to acknowledge his mark and goal at the three-quarter time break.

"He was struck down with an ankle injury early in the game and played the whole game with injections, so to kick that goal just before three-quarter time was just exceptional," Laidley said.

"I just thought it's been a pretty rough three weeks for him. I just thought that (playing on despite his injury) is the effort required.

"Sometimes it's not about kicks, marks and handballs. It's what you do for the team."

Thompson has also had to live with the spectre of a death threat, revealed during the week as one of five AFL players who had received such threats this year.

Police are treating the matter seriously.

Laidley's low profile no-names continue to punch above their collective weight and Sunday's win marked the Kangaroos serious chances of breaking into the top four and earning a double chance during the finals.

They have won their past five games to sit fifth, and have beaten, drawn with or been competitive against all the sides above them.

"The resolve of the group was very good today. To be able to hold the Bulldogs off and come out in front, it was very good," Laidley said.

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