North Melbourne coach Brad Scott says midfielder Daniel Wells no longer deserves a reputation as a player who goes missing when most needed and fails to live up to his talent.

The agile, silky-skilled 26-year-old was his side's best in their 66-point loss to Geelong on Saturday, standing out with both some class kicking into attack and good work in close against a dominant Cats midfield.

Scott said Wells' performance against the tide was the brightest aspect of a tough day.

"He was a bit of a lone hand in our midfield," the coach said.

"People unfairly at times I think have criticised him, (that) when the chips are down he doesn't stand up.

"He had eight clearances, which are four more than the next best clearance player on the ground today from both teams, so I thought he was outstanding today under fire.

"That was a pleasing aspect, it's great that we can rely on Daniel Wells, when we're in trouble and we need him to stand up, he can."

Wells averaged 21 touches, more than two tackles and almost a goal per game last season and has started this year in even better touch.

Scott said while that might not meet everyone's expectations of the player taken at No.2 in the 2002 national draft, the Kangaroos were happy with his output.

"Look at his performances over the past two years, he's stood up for us," Scott said.

"The problem with the expectations, or the external expectations that people have with Daniel Wells, for them to be satisfied with the level of talent he's got, he probably should have won a couple of Brownlows by now and best and fairests.

"If he played to (critics' expectations of) his potential every game, he'd be the best player we've ever seen."

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