It has been a long winter for North Melbourne Kangaroos fans, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The team has a recent win under its belt, and has scored far more freely under interim senior coach Leigh Adams.

Players are settling into their roles, building familiarity with one another on the field and more often flashing the talent the club has committed to nurturing.

There is a long road left to tread, but the threads of an impressive team are further entwining each week.

On Saturday afternoon at Adelaide Oval, they will chase their third victory of the 2022 campaign against a Crows team in a similar phase of the AFL cycle.

Here are the four key narratives going into the Kangaroos' penultimate match of the season.

Cunnington to complement midfielders' progress

On Saturday Ben Cunnington will play in his first match at senior level in 385 days, having overcome testicular cancer and built up the strength to return to the elite level.

Cunnington was runner-up in the Syd Barker Medal last season, and finished in the top two in every season from 2014 to 2019.

With contested ball at the heart of his game, the league's best hands, a piercing kick and a quiet authority around stoppages, Cunnington has been desperately missed.

In his absence, and with his advice, co-vice captain Jy Simpkin has posted career-best numbers for tackles and clearances, with his silkier output undiminished.

Even more noteworthy has been the breakout form of former top four draft selection Luke Davies-Uniacke.

The 23-year-old has averaged career-high numbers for disposals (24.1), tackles (4.5), inside 50s (4.7) and clearances (4.8), and has regularly hit the scoreboard.

This weekend, North Melbourne will have the opportunity to unleash its two young leaders in the form of their careers alongside their closest mentor.

It's not to be missed.

Another crack at the Crows

It was not so long ago that the Kangaroos last encountered Adelaide.

When the teams met in Hobart back in Round 15, North Melbourne was beaten to the tune of 57 points, but enough has changed for the Roos to feel they'll go in with a clean slate.

For one, Ben McKay is back in his happiest hunting ground.

One of the league's most effective one-on-one defenders, McKay was redeployed as a forward for that match in an effort to free up Nick Larkey.

Though the pair demonstrated an instant chemistry, the team bled at the other end, and 'Buckets' has returned both to the back six and his impassable intercepting form.

The Kangaroos will also take in Callum Coleman-Jones, who has been a disruptor down the line since his recall, and can help the team control the skies.

Jaidyn Stephenson is the other variable, having energised the Roos' spread and movement from opposition turnovers.

Since the ex-Magpie went behind the ball in Round 16, he has averaged 26.2 disposals, 6.2 marks and 516.4 metres gained in five complete matches.

On Saturday we'll find out whether the tinkering and selections over the intervening seven weeks will be enough to overturn the result.

Records are made to be broken

In nine attempts, North Melbourne has not won an AFL match at the Adelaide Oval.

The Roos came closest in Round 22, 2018 when they drew within three points of the Crows late in the final term, having trailed by 30 at the last change.

On that day Todd Goldstein booted two goals to go with 29 hitouts, while Jed Anderson propelled the team forward with seven clearances.

To win on Saturday, North will need similar from their hardened onballers. The Crows may be in the bottom four, but they're very rarely a walkover.

Over the last two weeks, Matthew Nicks' men have spoiled West Coast champion Josh Kennedy's farewell party, and damaged Carlton's finals aspirations.

Jordan Dawson's precise use by foot, Rory Laird's combustive run and Darcy Fogarty's strength and accuracy are just three points of difference to quell.

If the Roos can lock in and break through, the result would serve similarly to last season's win over West Coast as a milestone for a group growing up together.

One club, together again

On Saturday morning, North Melbourne's AFLW team will take on reigning premiers Adelaide in a practice match at Norwood Oval.

Having made the finals in each of the last three seasons, the Kangaroos have refreshed the squad in pursuit of their first premiership.

Last week they went to the AIA Centre and emerged victorious against Collingwood, with Jasmine Garner (two goals), Ellie Gavalas and Ash Riddell among their best.

Draftees Sophia McCarthy and Grace Matser were combative up forward and in the ruck respectively, while Irish recruit Erika O'Shea appeared at home on a half-back flank.

This iteration of Darren Crocker's North Melbourne moves the ball with flair and pace, and piles on pressure up forward.

They're going to be a lot of fun to watch.

It will be the first time all 18 clubs will play the same opposition in men's and women's over the same weekend and the AFLW match will be live streamed on NMFC.com.au.