Dual premiership Kangaroo David King has exposed several “shameful” efforts from some of North Melbourne’s biggest stars during the club’s latest big loss, declaring those would be “kidding themselves if they think that’s going to be tolerated”.

The Kangaroos on Saturday suffered their seventh loss in a row, which saw them sink to 16th on the ladder as Alastair Clarkson’s start to his Roos coaching stint continued to go from bad to worse.

King on Fox Footy’s First Crack pointed to several pieces of vision from the Kangaroos’ 70-point loss to Port Adelaide, calling out five players for their lack of defensive intensity and accountability.

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“All that North Melbourne fans want to see is a competitive performance to be proud of – and I just want to ask these players: ‘Is this the best you’ve got? Is this absolutely the best you’ve got effort to effort?’” King asked on First Crack.

The first passage saw Power forward Jeremy Finlayson run backwards close to goal and take a mark, with King critical of North defender Ben McKay for not getting to the ball to create a spoil or loose ball.

“I’ve been watching Liam Jones overnight and if this high ball comes in against Liam Jones, Ben McKay crashes that body, he makes the full body spoil and he wears some pain. Ben McKay, not prepared to take that pain,” King said.

King then called out Aidan Corr for allowing Finlayson to lead up and take an easy uncontested mark inside 50.

“Aidan Corr, high-priced recruit, is this the best you’ve got denying the opposition a lead? Is that as good as you’ve got representing the North Melbourne footy club at full-back? I think you’ve got to do more than that,” he said.

Kangaroos co-captain Jy Simpkin was then in King’s sights.

As the Power had possession of the ball on the wing, Simpkin was following star midfielder Connor Rozee through the centre square. Rozee then sprints into space to take an easy uncontested mark.

“This is the co-captain, you’re locked on there with Connor Rozee. Is that the best you’ve got defensively to trail him like that and not really engage?” King said.

Seconds later, Finlayson gathers the ball inside 50 and, despite being near the Power forward, Simpkin doesn’t attempt to apply pressure

“You are right there, co-captain of the footy club, you close that space and you come in and you have an impact. That there doesn’t pay the bills. That’s unacceptable in the blue and white jumper,” King said.

King saved his last clip for Cam Zurhaar and Luke Davies-Uniacke, who were seen jogging behind their respective opponents through the middle of the ground during a Power slow play from half-back before letting them sprint away to share the footy uncontested.

“This is the worst of a lot. I’ve heard a lot about Zurhaar talk, on social media and all those sorts of things. This is when you’ve got to put yourself to the sword. LDU, Zurhaar – not good enough,” he said.

“That’s shameful, some of that play.”

King said Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson had to take the collective public heat for his side’s performance but had every right to be harsh on his players after seeing such damning footage.

“That needs to get back to these guys that when you pull the jumper on, there’s an effort and a standard that comes with it,” King said.

“All those efforts – and I could show another 10 more – they are just kidding themselves if they think that’s going to be tolerated at North Melbourne.

“Those players would be embarrassed with that – and a few of them I could find four or five edits for.”

Asked if he was worried by North Melbourne’s lack of progress so far this season, King said: “I’m not worried. I’ve got faith in the club and Alastair Clarkson. But when you see that from individuals, have they individually lost hope? Have they lost the ability to stay connected with the direction?

“That’s on them. That’s not Alastair Clarkson’s fault necessarily – he has to take responsibility for it – but those players have got to lift.”