Continuing its run of three matches at Marvel Stadium, North Melbourne returns to Docklands to face old foe Essendon in an away game on Sunday afternoon.

The Roos fought hard in a 35-point loss to ladder leader Collingwood last weekend, and will be aiming to return to the winners list with victory over their traditional rival.

With Round 12 approaching, make sure you're prepared with this week's gameday guide.

Set your matchday reminders

Sunday, June 4
Essendon v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, 4.40pm AEST 

The Kangaroos will be out to build on the determination they showed in last Sunday's six-goal final term against the Magpies. They face an Essendon outfit which has run into form in recent weeks, winning its past two games to earn a foothold in the top eight.

So you don't miss the game, or any others this season, make sure to sync the fixture to you calendar.

Ticketing

You can purchase tickets for this weekend's game here.

Getting to Marvel Stadium

Transport information for getting to and from the stadium can be found here.

Single lane closure on Wurundjeri Way - allow for extra travel time: Wurundjeri Way has single lane closures between Dudley Street and Collins Street, northbound and southbound, until late October 2023 due to works carried out by the West Gate Tunnel Project.

Car park entrances C, D & E along Wurundjeri Way will remain open and will be available during this period.

Be a part of history as we target beyond 50k members in 2023

The Kangaroos' journey continues in 2023, and we're looking to surpass last year's club record 50,000 members as the team continues its path towards silverware.

Joining up as a member is a great way to support not only the AFL team, but the entire football club.

Watch on TV or stream on your phone

Sunday's game will be broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.

Stay connected on social media

For behind-the-scenes access and all the best highlights, photos, stats and stories, we’ve got you covered.
 
Follow the @NMFCOfficial accounts on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with everything happening at the match and don't forget to use #Kangas.
 
Bring on Round 12!

North Melbourne will be out to end an eight-match losing streak against old foe Essendon when the sides meet at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

Round 10's heartbreaking loss to Sydney still burns for the Kangaroos, but there were further encouraging signs in last weekend's loss to ladder-leader Collingwood, as they hung with the Magpies for three quarters after conceding the game's first four goals.

The Bombers head into this game with a foothold in the eight, and the Roos will need to find their best form to dislodge them. 

The opposition

Having ended a four-match losing streak, Essendon is back in winning form and back in the finals race. 

A one-point thriller against Richmond in week one of Sir Doug Nicholls Round was followed by a more routine 50-point win against West Coast in Perth last weekend. That returned the Bombers to the top eight for the first time since Round 6 with a 6-5 record.

Classy skipper Zach Merrett presents a challenge for interim coach Brett Ratten's side. Merrett continued his recent hot streak with 32 touches and five clearances against the Eagles. 

Also in form are Mason Redman and Nic Martin, whose smooth skills and hard running allow the Bombers to shift the ball efficiently out of defence.

Experienced midfielder Dylan Shiel missed the Eagles game with a foot injury and may return to face the Kangaroos.

Running hot

Hugh Greenwood started last weekend's game against Collingwood with a single possession in the opening quarter, but it was a different story after the break.

The former Sun and Crow was at his bullocking best in the second term, winning five clearances as North Melbourne kicked two goals for the quarter while limiting the Magpies to three.

Greenwood finished with a game-high 10 clearances, 11 tackles and 16 contested possessions.

If he can again give the Kangaroos first use of the ball on Sunday, the Bombers will have plenty of work to do.

What the coaches have said

North Melbourne interim senior coach Brett Ratten post-game v Collingwood: "Everybody (thinks it is) doom and gloom because they look at a loss beside your name, but today was a really good step. What we've seen over a period now is the performance against Sydney was full of merit and then today wasn't exactly what we wanted for the four quarters, but jeez there was a bit to take away."

Essendon senior coach Brad Scott post-game v West Coast: "I thought it was professional and we were fully understanding of what we were walking into on this trip. I would have been more concerned today if we came out thinking that we're going to try and kick 150 points and just walk over a side that's struggling mainly due to injury. They are still a good side on their home ground, so I thought it was a professional performance. But certainly not one that I will be watching the replay for fun."

Last time we met

Essendon 17.12 (114) def North Melbourne 9.12 (66) - Round 20, 2022 at Marvel Stadium

Essendon's Jake Stringer blew the Kangaroos out of the water with three first-quarter goals from midfield when the sides met in July last season.

Stringer finished with a five-goal haul as the Bombers recorded a 48-point win.

Cam Zurhaar stood between North Melbourne and a heavier defeat, kicking four goals from 18 touches and seven marks and presenting a continual threat inside 50.

Jy Simpkin tried valiantly in the midfield on his way to consecutive Syd Barker Medals, collecting a career-best 41 disposals, while full-back Ben McKay was another to hold his head high. Playing his milestone 50th AFL game, McKay kept in-form forward Peter Wright goalless during the first half and restricted him to two goals for the match.

Essendon has survived a massive scare to strengthen their grip on a top-eight spot with a tense six-point win over injury-hit North Melbourne.

A game of swinging momentum eventually fell the Bombers' way when substitute Massimo D'Ambrosio snapped the match-winning goal with two minutes left in a 16.9 (105) to 15.9 (99) victory at Marvel Stadium.

The second-from-bottom Kangaroos trailed by 20 points at quarter-time and lost important midfielders Jy Simpkin and Hugh Greenwood to concussion before the main break.

But they fought back with six consecutive goals and led by 17 points during the third term.

The Bombers kicked six of the next seven majors to turn for home with a lead and got their noses back in front in a nerve-racking final quarter, boosting their finals hopes in the process.

The lead changed hands four times in the last term and scores were level in the final few minutes before D’Ambrosio stepped up with the game on the line.

BOMBERS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

Kyle Langford booted four goals for Essendon and Zach Merrett finished with a game-high 34 disposals, while Jye Caldwell (27 touches), Jordan Ridley (21) and Nic Martin (21, two goals) were important.

Cameron Zurhaar kicked four goals for North and Ben McKay had some massive moments in defence.

An undermanned midfield led by Will Phillips (28 disposals), Bailey Scott (19) and Harry Sheezel (21) threatened to lift the Kangaroos to a huge upset.

There were early alarm bells for North as their opponents' ability to waltz out of stoppages led to the Bombers kicking four of the first five goals.

Merrett produced a massive opening term, racking up 16 disposals, five clearances and two goals by the first break as Essendon opened up a 20-point lead.

But Liam Shiels put the clamps on the Bombers' ball-winner in the second term, limiting him to five touches.

North kicked three unanswered goals in the second term and rattled off the first three majors of the third, with Tarryn Thomas' snap putting them 17 points up.

Three goals in five minutes put the Bombers back in front in a game of rapidly swinging momentum.

Essendon fans got some light relief in an intense third term when Andrew Phillips' shanked kick led to a Nic Martin mark - after the ball bounced off his head - and goal to give them an 11-point break at the final change.

There were four lead changes in the final term and North's Jaidyn Stephenson levelled the scores with a brilliant snap with three minutes left, only to be outdone by D'Ambrosio.

Confidence is a crazy thing
When the young Kangas back themselves they're as exciting as any outfit, moving the ball with confidence, taking risks and pulling them off, but when things don't go their way they can go back in their shells - but they didn't find time for that on Sunday! The exuberance of youth can be a frustrating thing for all involved, but North Melbourne fans should stand back like loving parents to savour the magic moments of their club's growing pains.

ESSENDON                   6.2    6.6    12.7    16.9 (105)
NORTH MELBOURNE    3.0    6.4    10.8    15.9 (99)

GOALS
Essendon: Langford 4, Perkins 2, Merrett 2, Martin 2, Guelfi 2, Stringer, Menzie, Draper, D'Ambrosio
North Melbourne: Zurhaar 4, Larkey 2, Coleman-Jones 2, Tucker, Thomas, Scott, Phillips, McDonald, Goldstein, Stephenson

BEST
Essendon: Merrett, Ridley, Martin, Caldwell, Heppell, Perkins
North Melbourne: McDonald, McKay, Zurhaar, Coleman-Jones, Phillips, Tucker

INJURIES
Essendon: Shiel (calf)
North Melbourne: Simpkin (concussion), Greenwood (concussion)

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: D'Ambrosio (replaced Shiel at three-quarter time)
North Melbourne: Powell (replaced Simpkin at quarter-time)

Crowd: 40,488 at Marvel Stadium