RooTube: Brent Harvey press conference

BRENT Harvey has doused speculation that his added responsibilities as North Melbourne captain are behind his indifferent start to the season.

Harvey, one of the competition's stand-out players in 2008, replaced Adam Simpson as captain in November.

Heavily tagged in the first two games of this season – against Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs – the 30-year-old has averaged 17 possessions.

"A couple of young guys have played me pretty tight and probably haven't really worried about getting the ball themselves," he said of Demon Clint Bartram and Dog Liam Picken from Arden Street on Tuesday morning.

"They beat me over the first two weeks but I'm looking forward to this week. It's a bit of a challenge now.

"I had a quick look at the stats from last year and the first two games are very similar. I got off to a pretty slow start. Hopefully there's something in that and come round three, I'm back."

Harvey said he had enjoyed his time as skipper so far and that, apart from some initial adjustment, the role hadn't had a large bearing on his preparations.

His build-up to Sunday's 15-point loss to the Bulldogs was the same as any week last season and deputies Drew Petrie, Brady Rawlings and Daniel Pratt had provided the support he needed.

Harvey also continues to seek advice from Simpson, who he considers a role model.

"I made sure after the loss to the Bulldogs that I was still up and about and got around to all the boys," Harvey said, adding that he didn't feel there was any more pressure for him to perform because he was captain.

In the final quarter of Sunday's game, Harvey's afternoon worsened when he was called for a throw in the centre of the ground.

A free kick for the Dogs resulted in Josh Hill's third goal and North lost its momentum.

"If that had have went our way, Sam Power was clear," Harvey said. "He could have put the ball inside 50, kicked the goal and we would have been three points up with 10 minutes to go.

"With a lead with the rain, we probably would have got the win."

Harvey noted that 11 of his teammates on Sunday had less than 50 games' experience and was pleased with their efforts, but felt a number of senior players had let the side down.

However, the attention now turns to round three with North to host winless Hawthorn at Docklands on Sunday.

Harvey didn't believe last year's premiers were vulnerable, despite the Hawks' surprise slump to the Sydney Swans and their raft of injuries.

"We certainly won't be taking them lightly, put it that way," he said.

And coach Dean Laidley had put a lot of work into breaking the Hawks' rolling zone, Harvey added.

"We have a pretty good record against them. It's normally a pretty good game against the Hawks so hopefully we can implement those strategies again and have a good win."