For skipper Lincoln Mills, Norths win over Thornton last week as one of the best he has been associated with.
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And that's saying something for someone who has figured in many of their recent premiership wins.
"Thornton Park is a tough road trip," he said.
"The wicket plays a little low and slow and you have to play straight and be patient.
"We spoke about it before the game, and the guys went out and executed.
"To get the 200 we needed for the loss of only five wickets was a terrific effort. I think it took us about 80 over to get the runs, but that was the way we had to play it.
"Last season we probably wouldn't have had the maturity to have been able to do that."
There's no doubt the young Norths lineup that has gone through a significant overhaul after the golden years when they had played in "12 or 13 finals in 15 years".
But there's talent in their young players - they were only one win from the grand final last season after all, despite all the changes.
Players such as Ben Sugden now have a season under their belts and are starting to prosper, while Luke Farthing has emerged this season as well.
This week they take on a team in similar mode - the young Eastern Suburbs at Lorn Park.
"I saw they had a disappointing loss last week and that captain Jack Bennett was pretty critical of their effort," Mills said. "They'll be keen to bounce back, so it should be a good game.
"In some ways they're in the same rebuilding phase as we are."
To add spice to what is always a great rivalry is the fact that Sean Gibson left Easts this season to join Norths.
In other matches, premiership favourites City United, with three wins from their opening three matches, will be looking to retain their perfect start when they at home to Thornton.
Raymond Terrace, the only other unbeaten team will be at home against Kurri Weston, while Wests play Tenambit Morpeth Bulls at Coronation.
How does Mills see the competition shaping up at this early stage.
"City are the team to beat," he said. "And Wests made the final last year and I think they've strengthened again this year. They gave us a touch up a couple of weeks back, so they're the sides to beat."
