The clash against Sydney could be as early as Round 2, meaning the match will fall on the first weekend of April. That would leave the Easter weekend free, unlike 2012 when the match against the GWS Giants fell on Easter Sunday.
Just a few weeks later North's is reported to have been slotted in to play against Port Adelaide in either Round 6 or 7.
While last season's second match was held much later in Round 15 against West Coast, proposed ground redevelopments means the next pair of games must be held earlier in the season to avoid a clash.
2013 is the second year of North Melbourne's three year partnership.
