The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos will have a chance to win two consecutive games for the first time this season as they front the undefeated Western Bulldogs in a crucial clash at the Swinburne Centre.

After falling to both Season 6 Grand Finalists in successive weeks, the Roos will have some momentum behind them heading into Round 5 after taking down an in-form Geelong outfit by two goals in wet conditions last week.

The Bulldogs also triumphed on a saturated field in Round 4 and extended their Season 7 unbeaten streak in the process with a 30-point win over Hawthorn.

In what is set to be an eye-catching affair, both sides have a strong presence of exciting young talent as well as several stars that have the capability of leading by example.

Here are three narratives to take note of heading into Friday afternoon.

Roos on right side of history

North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs have only met twice since the AFLW launched, with the former prevailing on both occasions.

The more recent meeting saw the Roos claim an 11-point in similar fashion to how the club defeated the Suns and Cats this season.

North jumped out to an early three-goal lead at North Hobart Oval in Round 7, 2021, and managed to hold the Dogs off in the final stages despite them controlling most of the fourth term.

Both clashes have taken place in Tasmanian territory so Round 5 will serve as the first encounter between the sides on Victorian soil.

Will the Roos make it a hat-trick against those from Melbourne's west?

A return to form?

Recording their highest score since the Round 1 victory over the Suns, there were several encouraging signs from North's forward line last Friday.

A final score of 28 may not be a sufficient total most weeks, but the four goal and four behind effort in the wet weather offered plenty of glimpses of what the group is capable of going forward.

Vikki Wall has been able to rapidly find her feet in the world of Aussie Rules and put in her best shift to date against Geelong with two goals.

Since returning to action two weeks ago, Alice O'Loughlin and Sophie Abbatangelo have had positive effects on how the forward line has operated.

While relatively quiet against the Crows, Abbatangelo didn’t miss a beat in Launceston as her clean skills and constant pressure acts helped North shoot to a healthy lead.

And despite not being someone who racks up disposals, O'Loughlin has been a livewire so far with the ability to consistently split contests and make something from nothing – as she did in Round 3.

There's no doubting that a firing forward line is critical to how tight games play out, and with this week expected to be a close game, the Roos will need to conjure plenty of scoring opportunities against a strong opponent.

Midfield battle

A rich profusion of talented midfielders will take the park on Friday, which is set to unfold into a gripping battle between the two contingents.

On the Bulldogs' side, there is captain Ellie Blackburn and Kirsty Lamb who are averaging 19.8 and 20 disposals respectively with the latter also polling 30 AFL Coaches Association Champion Player votes from a possible 30 over her past three appearances.

They are complemented by the likes of Isabelle Pritchard and Jessica Fitzgerald as well as ruck Alice Edmonds who leads the league in hitouts (118) and often gives the Dogs' midfield first choice around stoppages.

In the royal blue and white, it's Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell who have been North's main influences around the contest.

Garner is averaging 23.8 disposals, 6.5 clearances and 359.5 metres gained per game while Riddell has seen plenty of the ball too, averaging 22.2 disposals.

Looking to follow up on her best performance for the season so far will be Jenna Bruton who racked up 24 touches and five marks against the Cats. And although she isn't a prolific ball-winner, Mia King's ability to pressure and force turnovers through tackling is sure to have an impact in the trenches and all over the ground on Friday.