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North Melbourne's character can't be questioned despite a fifth loss in six games this AFL season, coach Brad Scott says.

North Melbourne linchpin Shaun Higgins was vomiting on a club doctor's leg - but still wanted to play.

Kangaroos veteran Luke McDonald was hobbling on one good leg - but refused to come off.

The actions of the two stalwarts shows why North coach Brad Scott is keeping the faith despite a horror start to the AFL season.

The Roos slipped to their fifth defeat in six games on Friday night, losing to Port Adelaide by 16 points at Adelaide Oval.

But Scott saw "little signs" that things are on the improve, despite the late withdrawal of an ill Higgins.

"He made us wait to put the team sheet in, even though he was vomiting on a doctor's leg at the time," Scott said.

Defender McDonald limped off in the second quarter with a knee injury, but returned with the joint strapped and played out the last half in obvious pain.

"Luke is pretty tough," Scott said.

"I stressed to the doctors that I wanted a no-risk approach.

"They were convinced that there wasn't risk of further damage, it was just going to be a pain issue - and Luke was able to push through it."

Scott praised the character of the duo, and the wider playing group, amid a torrent of criticism aimed at the Kangaroos.

"Our group is really impressive," he said.

"I have been fortunate to be involved in some great clubs, had some great success.

"But I have also been involved in those same clubs when they have been in much, much, much worse positions than we're in now.

"Our players ... the character within the group is really solid.

"They know we have got to work on it and they come to training and they go to work.

"So that gives us a foundation. It doesn't guarantee anything, but they're certainly not going to turn their toes up."