The Kangaroos will be determined to get their season back on track when they head north to play the Suns on the Gold Coast.

They'll enter off the back of a disappointing 75-point defeat to Brisbane, however, despite making a sprightly start against the premiership contenders in the Adelaide Hills during Gather Round.

While chasing a third win for 2023, North Melbourne will be honouring a champion of the club at the same time…

Goldy on the Goldy

Soon to become just the sixth Kangaroo to achieve the feat, Todd Goldstein will notch his 300-game milestone when he hits the turf on Sunday night.

Since being drafted with the 37th pick of the 2006 AFL Draft, 'Goldy' has gone on to not only claim club and competition awards but redefine what ruckmen in the AFL can do.

While an incredible tap ruck at stoppages and centre bounces, the No.22's work below his knees and with ball in hand has made him a headache for oppositions over his 17-year career.

A best-and-fairest winner, All-Australian, AFL Life Member and the all-time VFL/AFL hitouts leader, Goldstein has undoubtedly become one of the greatest big men the AFL world has witnessed.

Stevo in form

Although the club has suffered three losses in a row, the form of Jaidyn Stephenson has been a shining light.

Acquired from Collingwood prior to the 2021 season, the early stages of 2023 have seen the 24-year-old re-discover some of the form that saw him quickly become a popular star at his former club.

The forward has slotted nine goals from five games this season, with four of those coming against Brisbane last weekend and three coming on Good Friday in the SuperClash with Carlton.

"It's just about belief and faith. He can really play ... (but) there was a fair bit of publicity around his move here and that attaches pressure. Now we're seeing a bit of consistency, and we think there's even more he can contribute," North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson said earlier this week.

Each week, Stephenson is looking more comfortable in Clarkson's system and could prove to be scoring threat again on Sunday against a Suns outfit that has leaked 100+ points on four occasions this year.

Winning at the source

Boasting Touk Miller and young guns Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell in their midfield, the Suns have become one of the stronger contested ball winning teams.

Perhaps inconsistent across other parts of the ground, Gold Coast has remained diligent at the coalface over its recent campaigns and currently sits second in the competition for contested possessions per game (146.4).

More often than not under senior coach Stuart Dew, when the Suns have won, they've done so by being the superior side at the contest.

"We know the middle of the ground is a really important part of the game, which it is in every game really, but that's the Gold Coast side's real strength," Clarkson said on Tuesday.

In their Round 5 defeat to Brisbane, the Roos fell behind 141-119 in contested possessions which Clarkson flagged as a factor he and his side will need to fix before challenging the Suns.

Last time we met

Closing out its 2022 campaign, the Kangaroos hosted the Suns at Marvel Stadium in Round 23, but it was the visitors who took the four points home, winning 16.18 (114) to 6.11 (47).

Making his long-awaited debut in the seniors was Josh Goater who collected 21 disposals and five marks, while Aidan Corr played one of his best games as a Roo having recorded 28 touches, nine marks and 775 metres gained.

Jy Simpkin capped off his second Syd Barker Medal-winning season with 25 disposals and seven inside 50s.