Dual premiership coach Denis Pagan has given North Melbourne players a rev-up to mark their centenary ahead of Thursday night’s clash with the Western Bulldogs.

The Kangaroos shifted the celebrations to ensure their flag triumphs took place in prime time, and the 77-year-old coach took centre stage.

Mic’d up, he stood in the middle of the Roos’ 23 players taking the field and promptly demanded more after last week’s 85-point loss to Hawthorn.

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Pagan touched on North’s history before recalling his famous 1990s sides.

“We had a great team then, very similar to the ‘70s. No one intimidated us. We had a mantra — ‘war without weapons’,” he said.

“Everyone who ran out put his body on the line. I want to see you blokes do that tonight.

“I had a look at Hawthorn last week and I can tell you what, a lot of you blokes have got a bit to answer for.”

Fans immediately cheered as Pagan continued.

“Tonight, you make sure that you’re hard at the ball, you’re hard at the man with the ball, you tackle him, you chase, you put pressure on your opponent. No daydreaming, just go for it and give it your best shot!” he said.

North greats were all smiles as they shook hands with the current players ahead of the game.

“Well that was a little bit of Denis Pagan of old. I don’t know about you gentlemen but I’ve got goosebumps. I am ready to play after that rev-up,” Bec Maddern said on Channel 7.

Nick Riewoldt said: “No wonder they were so good in the ‘90s, how could you not be with an address like that? I loved a bit of a hard edge there.”

Kane Cornes, a high-profile critic of North Melbourne this year, loved the call to arms and said it was “amazing”.

In a special pre-game edition of Roaming Brian, North president Sonja Hood said it was a “wonderful” show while club great Ross Glendinning praised the “fantastic” initiative but couldn’t resist a joke.

“I’m worried about getting RSV or COVID because he spat that much,” Glendinning laughed.

North’s 1977 premiership captain David Dench said he hoped the players took in the message.

“I just hope the guys got a bit of adrenaline out of it so they can kick on and have a good game tonight,” he said.

Indeed, the Kangaroos took a 5.2 (32) to 4.2 (26) lead into quarter-time after a host of tough plays.

“Denis would be happy with that,” Cornes said after Nick Larkey kicked his fourth and North’s fifth goal.

The centenary celebrations were initially overshadowed by a planned boycott from multiple greats over the date clash and decision to honour North’s 2024 AFLW premiers.

But there was no negativity on the night.

Darren Crocker played in the Kangaroos’ 1996 flag and coached the AFLW side to the premiership last year.

“Very special,” he told Brian Taylor.

“It’s 100 years, for us to be able to contribute in the W space is really special for the club and all our supporters. They’ve really got behind our W program.

The rev-up was instantly followed by a celebration for the Bulldogs as Tom Liberatore ran out for his 250th game.