The Kangaroos once again hit the road this week, this time travelling to Sydney to take on the Swans.

The home side head into the clash with a point to prove after their frustrating loss to the Western Bulldogs last week, while the Kangaroos are looking to bury some demons after their disappointing performance against the Lions.

Whether you're in the stands or on the couch, make sure you're prepared with this week's gameday guide.

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Saturday, April 9
Sydney v North Melbourne at the SCG, 2.40pm AEST

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Bring on the big game!

The sooner last week's clash with the Lions is in the rear-view mirror, the better. North Melbourne is full of desire to rectify last week's performance, and the Sydney Swans are in the firing line.

Here are four of the most pressing questions ahead of the Kangaroos' clash with Sydney.

How do the Roos bounce back?

The biggest questions on the lips of North fans this week all centre around how the team will improve on its performance against Brisbane in Round 3.

The response from David Noble in the media has been strong but measured in the lead up to the Sydney clash, but it's evident that something needs to change in order for this exciting group of young players to take their next step forward.

Will a mentality shift see the Kangaroos lift in the face of another strong opposition side? Does the defensive structure change? Will some big calls be made at the selection table?

There are a number of ways for the coaching staff to signal their intent ahead of the game this week. Either way, fans will be hoping to see massive improvement from last week's showing.

Can the midfield step up?

In his press conference after the defeat to Brisbane, Noble alluded to the lesson his midfield was shown by the experienced stars of the Lions lineup.

From being "outworked" to "simple turnovers" and "poor decision-making", Noble blasted the efforts of his midfield post-game last week, and while their stoppage craft has been consistently strong this season, the onus is on them to improve their output in other areas of the ground.

Luke Davies-Uniacke's impending return will bolster the middle of the park, while Tom Powell is building on his AFL experience week-in, week-out. Hugh Greenwood is also improving his connection with his teammates with each passing day, and Curtis Taylor showed promise in the centre last week. The pieces are there for improved performances in the weeks to come.

The Kangaroos certainly have the experience and quality around the middle of the ground, now they need to show their quality and take the fight to an established, high-quality midfield in all areas of the park.

Will Tristan Xerri make a big statement?

In this early stage of the season Tristan Xerri is putting his hand up to be seen as one of the most improved players in the competition.

After 12 games in his first four years on North Melbourne's list, Xerri has finally earned the minutes in the ruck he has craved, while Todd Goldstein is strong support for the young ruck while also being a strong forward target.

AFL veteran and first-choice Swans ruck Tom Hickey is already a confirmed exclusion from the side on the weekend due to a knee injury. Peter Ladhams is set to make his Swans debut after crossing over from Port Adelaide at the end of last season.

The absence of such an established presence in Hickey will give Xerri a prime opportunity to throw the gauntlet down to the opposition on the weekend. He has a chance to prominently push his name forward as a bona fide AFL talent.

With Callum Coleman-Jones also performing well in the VFL and pushing his name forward for a recall, this is a ruck battle Xerri has to win if he wants to prove his credentials.

How to match up on Buddy?

Keeping Lance Franklin quiet is a conundrum teams have tried and failed to answer for over a decade and a half, and it's a question the Kangaroos must once again face up to this weekend.

Despite his advancing age, Franklin is just as difficult an opponent as he has always been. He's been able to change his game to suit the evolving AFL landscape and there's little doubt he's one of the greatest forwards of all time.

A number of North defenders could be tasked with keeping him quiet as the game progresses. Should he stay close to goal it can be assumed Ben McKay will be by his side at all times, while Josh Walker's strength and power could see him as an appropriate opponent.

If he looks to move up the ground the likes of Aiden Bonar or Kyron Hayden look like the ideal candidates should they be included in the side. Their combination of power and speed would allow them to keep up with Franklin's athletic capabilities.

Jack Ziebell is even an option to run with 'Buddy' on occasion. His experience and willpower could be what's needed to limit the impact of the superstar.

Stopping Lance Franklin is never just a one man job, and getting the balance of who plays on him and when could be the key to a strong defensive performance from the Kangaroos.

North Melbourne has gone down to the Sydney Swans by 11 points in a heartbreaking finish at the SCG.

The Roos led for much of the last quarter, but the Swans hit the front with seven minutes remaining and held on to record a 13.8 (86) to 12.3 (75) victory.

Justin McInerney, who racked up an incredible 14 touches in the final quarter, kicked a crucial goal in the 22nd minute to make the margin six points but the Kangaroos then had several forays forward that included a behind to Jaidyn Stephenson until Heeney's final intervention ended the contest.

Lance Franklin was mobbed by thousands of fans after kicking his 1000th career goal the last time the Swans visited the SCG but this time was forced to watch on for the last quarter and a half when substituted out of the match due to a finger injury.

While the Swans will be happy to leave with the four points there will also be some concerns for Paddy McCartin after he went straight down to the changerooms following a heavy knock halfway through the final term. The former No.1 draft pick returned to run out the match.

North Melbourne shook things up with Jack Ziebell starting forward and he earned an early free kick with a desperate tackle on Nick Blakey that set the tone for the Kangaroos and gave them the opening goal of the match.

Ziebell brought some of the pressure and intensity he has played with in defence over the past year back to the Kangaroos' forward line but impressed just as much as a leading target to finish with five goals.

SWANS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats 

At the other end, Swans veteran Sam Reid marked his return to the senior side with an early goal, taking his chance from a set shot 50m from goal and close to the boundary in the first term.

The injury-prone forward-ruck was involved in several attacking plays and helped stretch a North Melbourne backline that also had to deal with fellow talls Franklin and Hayden McLean (both two goals).

The Kangaroos appeared to have the edge in the ruck with Todd Goldstein and Tristan Xerri double-teaming the Swans' club debutant Peter Ladhams, but the deep Sydney midfield was able to dominate the clearances 42-30.

Air-Horne nearly takes MOTY

It seems only a matter of time before Jason Horne-Francis takes a mark of the year contender. After showing his high-flying ability in the pre-season in an intraclub match, Horne-Francis nearly repeated the feat against the Swans. He launched over James Bell on the wing and got hands on the ball, but a late Callum Mills fist prevented the No.1 pick from hauling in an epic mark.  

Captain Jack’s switch a success

From the moment he pinned Blakey holding the ball in the early minutes of the game, the Swans had no answer for the North Melbourne skipper.

At 188cm, Ziebell’s frame served as a third tall target for the Roos midfielders next to Goldstein and Nick Larkey, and three times he was awarded free kicks when his marker panicked as he broke to lead.

After a season and a bit spent in defence, the 31-year-old swung forward and his trademark set shot with his right foot swinging across his body served him well. His five goal haul matched career-best tallies against Collingwood in 2017 and the Swans in 2018.

The midfielders share responsibility

Davies-Uniacke’s return from a concussion sustained in the Round 2 win over West Coast helped the Roos rediscover another dimension in the midfield.

With Hugh Greenwood (12 contested possessions) at the coalface and Jason Horne-Francis (six clearances) taking the ball from inside to outside, other players were released to tap into their creative talents.

Simpkin mopped up the groundball and took territory with 543 metres gained, and was both at the heart and on the end of a coast-to-coast move to reignite the Roos’ hopes early in the third term.

By contrast, ‘LDU’ patrolled the patch of turf behind the centre and opened up the game for his team with shifts of angle on his run and bullet passes by foot.

What’s next?

North Melbourne will host the Western Bulldogs on Good Friday at Marvel Stadium. The 2021 runners-up lost their opening two matches to premiers Melbourne and reinvigorated Carlton, but scratched out a win over the Swans in Round 3. The first bounce on Friday afternoon is at 4.20pm AEST.

SYDNEY                              3.2   6.4    9.6    13.8  (86)
NORTH MELBOURNE          4.0   6.1.  11.1   12.3  (75)

Goals
Sydney: Bell 2, Franklin 2, Heeney 2, McLean 2, Hayward, McInerney, Reid, Ronke, Warner
North Melbourne: Ziebell 5, Goldstein 2, Mahony, Simpkin, Turner, Xerri, Zurhaar

BEST  
Sydney: McInerney, Mills, Heeney, Florent, Warner
North Melbourne: Ziebell, Simpkin, Horne-Francis, Stephenson, McDonald

INJURIES  
Sydney: Franklin (finger)
North Melbourne: Zurhaar (concussion)

LATE CHANGES
Sydney: Sam Wicks (H&S protocols) replaced in selected side by James Bell
North Melbourne: Nil

SUBSTITUTES  
Sydney: Ben Ronke (replaced Lance Franklin in third quarter)
North Melbourne: Aiden Bonar (replaced Cam Zurhaar in fourth quarter)