Gold Coast SUNS ruckman Josh Fraser has hit back at critics, saying they should do their homework before taking a swipe at his performance.

Fraser played his first match for five weeks against West Coast last Saturday following a back injury and was heavily criticised by television commentators for being too slow and not providing enough of a contest.

After 11 seasons at Collingwood where he was often maligned, the 29-year-old said the criticism didn't bother him too much - he just wishes some thought was put into it first.

"I'm more surprised than anything and I shouldn't be, having spent so long in the game, but I just think some of the things that get thrown out are so far off the mark," he said.

"If people did their homework they'd realise I came off a month of not playing footy and really came off maybe two or three training sessions, so the plan was that I was going to spend more time forward and go through the middle at different stages and that'll increase as the weeks go on.

"It took Browny (Campbell Brown) a bit of time to get going after his (four week) suspension, it takes everyone time to get going.

"They're quick to whack you, but that's the game and I guess while they're whacking me they're giving someone else a spell."

Fraser said he was looking to increase his time in the ruck against North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night as his aerobic tank continued to build.

Zac Smith played the majority of the match against Eagles duo Dean Cox and Nic Natanui last weekend while Fraser went forward.

But against in-form Kangaroos ruckman Todd Goldstein, the 202cm GC SUNS hoped to share more time in the middle.

"I think the key for Zac and I is to keep working together and get some cohesion and try to give our midfielders an even contest in there," Fraser said.

"I've had 10 years of taking the ruck so that's my favourite position, but I'm enjoying spending a bit more time forward and it's nice coming back from an injury and being able to play forward and not have to worry about spending 80 or 90 percent in the ruck. "

Fraser said while external expectations might be rising for a third GC SUNS win on Saturday night, Gold Coast SUNS were keeping focussed on not having little lapses that have cost them dearly throughout the season.

He said he had the ultimate respect for North Melbourne, their coach, and Brent Harvey, who will break the Kangaroos' games record of 311 on Saturday night.

"You always know what you're going to get from North, a tough, hard game and we need to be 100 percent on our game to make sure we even look like getting the result we want," he said.

"They're a proud footy club but they've got some talented and seasoned players that you know what you're going to get - Petrie, Harvey, Wells, Firrito.

"I think they're well coached. I've spent some time at Collingwood with Brad Scott and was always super impressed with him there and I knew when he got the job at North he'd shape that club the way he wanted them to play.

"We know we're in for a tough one and they always find a gear for milestones and Brent Harvey's been one of the greats of the game and one of the greats of their footy club so they'll be looking to lift for him again."