North Melbourne coach Brad Scott says a mental drop-off once the Kangaroos’ AFL finals berth was assured explains their form slump over the past two rounds.

But he is confident they will have no trouble regaining their focus for Sunday’s elimination final against West Coast at Patersons Stadium, the club’s first final since 2008.

After winning nine of their previous 10 games to be one of the competition’s form sides and ensure a top eight spot, the Kangaroos have experienced a lull with a big loss to Fremantle and unconvincing win over Greater Western Sydney.

But Scott was unconcerned.

“The performances haven’t been as good, there’s no doubt about that,” he told reporters on Monday.

“But if you take a form line over the past three months we’re looking pretty good.

“You can call it whatever you like, but the reality is once we confirmed our spot in the finals, even my thinking started planning for this moment and this week.

“It is a test of your professionalism to stay in the moment, we didn’t pass that test and that’s part of our improvement as a footy side.

“But there’ll be no problems mentally getting up for this week and physically we’re in terrific shape.”

The Kangaroos expect to regain tall defender Nathan Grima and midfield star Daniel Wells from injury.

But there is lingering doubt over tall forward Lachie Hansen, who will need testing for his recovery from concussion.

The Eagles have beaten the Kangaroos twice this season, most recently a memorable comeback in Hobart in round 15 when West Coast came from 35 points down to win by two on the back of a huge game from ruckman Dean Cox.

Scott said North would put a lot of work into planning ways to combat the Eagles’ ruckmen, but both sides could take something from the previous clash.

“It gives us real confidence that we know that our best can cut it against the Eagles,” he said.

“That game also proved they’re a very good side and it’s very difficult to put them away.”