North Melbourne coach Brad Scott is fed up with his side winning admirers, but losing AFL games.

Another thriller slipped through the Kangaroos' hands in Launceston on Sunday, North hitting the lead in the last term through a four-goal burst to Matt Campbell, before Hawthorn finished stronger to win 15.13 (103) to 13.8 (86).

It followed a similarly creditable, but ultimately fruitless, performance last round against another top-four side, Carlton.

"We didn't get any points, unfortunately, and that's what we really need at this time of the year," said Scott, whose side's loss might have put them too far out of the eight to bridge the gap.

"Our boys were terrific today.

"Anyone who's associated with North Melbourne has an unbelievable responsibility to uphold the tradition and the culture and the fight that is just synonymous with this football club and I think the guys did that.

"But it's getting a little bit tiresome.

"I'm sure people will say it was another fighting effort and a never-say-die effort. Well, we're sick of that.

"We want to start grinding sides into the ground ourselves."

The loss was North's last chance to claim a top-four scalp this home and away season.

But despite being six points out of the top eight, with three games left after next weekend's bye, Scott has not given up on their finals hopes, even though wins over remaining opponents Fremantle, St Kilda and Richmond might not be enough.

"We can rejuvenate, refresh and work on some things that we need to work on.

"Then we've got three games that we're going to make an absolute assault on.

"... We'll play sides that we expect to beat and, if we do that, we'll hold up our end of the bargain."

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