North Melbourne's one-point AFL win over Brisbane last Saturday night was massive for the club and a personal milestone for Ben Cunnington.

In his seventh senior game, the 18-year-old midfielder had the strongest sense yet that he had contributed to his team's success.

Coach Brad Scott praised Cunnington for his hard work late in the match, culminating in the crucial pass to Levi Greenwood, who kicked the winning goal.

The win left the Kangaroos just outside the top eight ahead of Friday night's clash against Carlton at Etihad Stadium.

"On the weekend, I reckon it started to turn around a bit - I felt I was more involved with the win, like I contributed," Cunnington said.

"I felt more a part of it, so I guess I'm starting to wake up to reality and being part of the team."

Cunnington turns 19 on June 30 and was North's first-round draft selection last year at No.5 overall.

There are big wraps on the farmer's son from Cobden, southwest of Melbourne.

Michael Turner from the Geelong Falcons last year rated him the most professional player he had seen come through the team in 15 years - this at a club that has produced AFL stars such as Gary Ablett Jnr, Jimmy Bartel, Nick Maxwell and Jonathan Brown.

A stress fracture during the pre-season delayed Cunnington's senior debut but he has steadily adapted to the AFL.

"The first couple of weeks, it had been a little frustrating, not being able to play my normal game," he said.

"You obviously have to adjust and you're not going to come in here and get 25 possessions and 10 tackles each game.

"So that's been a little frustrating, but the coaches and everyone have been really good with me, working with me.

"I've been trying to work on my confidence with one of the psychs (sport psychologists) at the club and they keep backing me, so I keep getting a bit more self-belief."

The match against the Blues will be the Kangaroos' only Friday night game during this home-and-away season.

North pioneered Friday night footy and they are using the clash to commemorate 25 years of the fixture.

Carlton are one win ahead of North on the ladder and Cunnington is confident said the Kangaroos can match the Blues.

"If we come out with the intensity and pressure around the footy, then definitely we have the players to win that contested ball - we have a really good chance," he said.

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