The Swans’ ability to hold on and withstand a gallant second half push from North Melbourne on Saturday night will help drive the playing group for the rest of the season.

That was the message from Harry Cunningham after, in front by 20 points at three-quarter-time, the Swans were put under immense pressure from the Kangaroos who outscored the visitors to be within two straight kicks deep into the final term.

A few steady heads in the dying minutes and a long bomb from Lance Franklin, however, sealed the result and the Swans’ sixth consecutive win.

Harry Cunningham, just one of many who starred in the 16-point win at Etihad Stadium, believed a strong defensive effort mixed with a bit of composure amid North’s intensity lift should be seen as a positive going into next weekend’s bye and the subsequent Round 13 clash with Richmond.

“We went into the game knowing North were going to give it to us, especially with what happened late in the season last year,” Cunningham said, speaking to SwansTV post match.

“You’ve always got mechanisms in place to withstand that (pressure). We’d like to run out games a bit better than we have been but it’s great for the team to be able to hold on to a lead like that.

“We’ll be definitely taking a lot of positives out of that.”

Cunningham collected 21 disposals in his seventh game of the season and third-straight game since breaking his way back into the side.

The midfielder was happy with his efforts and with simply playing his role within a team performance headlined by Luke Parker (33 disposals, 7 tackles) and Lance Franklin (4 goals, 16 disposals, 6 tackles).

“For me it’s just about putting in the hard work and outworking my opponent every week,” Cunningham added.

“It’s about setting high standards at training for myself and then brining that on game days.

“I was happy with my game (on Saturday night), playing forward and along the wing, there was a lot of space out there too.”

The Swans take a break before taking on the Tigers back at the SCG on June 26.