An encounter with the 5-2 Saints awaits North Melbourne who returns to Marvel Stadium for the first time since Round 4.

Both clubs will enter off losses but have endured contrasting 2023 seasons so far. St Kilda has announced itself as a flag contender, while the Kangaroos have struggled despite making a promising start.

However, being back in front of the Shinboner faithful may provide the boost the Roos need to straighten the ship as the campaign's midway point quickly approaches.

The opposition

Reinvented under new coach Ross Lyon, the Saints have been one of the surprise packages of the competition so far this season.

They have built their strong start off the back of the stout defensive structure that comes with playing under Lyon, conceding just 440 points over the first seven rounds – the least of any club.

Small forwards Jack Higgins, Dan Butler and Jade Gresham have risen in Max King's absence, kicking 24 goals combined for the year while being well complemented by youngster Mitch Owens who has booted 12 of his own.

After suffering a seven-point loss to Port Adelaide, the Saints will be eager to respond on Sunday in their third straight game under the Marvel roof.

What the coaches have said

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson post-game v Melbourne: "Every side has injuries. I was talking to 'Simmo' (Adam Simpson), and it was horrific what happened West Coast about three weeks ago when they lost six or seven blokes in one game and five or six of them were long term.

"It's tough yards but we'll roll up the sleeves up and get to work. We've got some good kids, we know the vision of where we want to go and what we need to do and it's just going to take some time.

"And you're going to come up against sides like Melbourne – a highly credentialed side – and I'd be very surprised if they're not challenging for the flag in September.

"Usually when you lose a game by 15 goals you haven’t been able to get the ball inside 50 and you've been smashed at clearances, but we competed in different areas of the game really well. (Melbourne) out of a half chance it would make a full chance, and out of a full opportunity for us we'd turn it into a half or quarter chance."

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon on Wednesday: "We expect a fierce response (from the Kangaroos). They’ve got a fierce coach. The fundamental mantra is the last result doesn’t count for the next, otherwise we wouldn’t have a season and the results would be pre-determined."

Back in business

It may be tough to find many positives in last Saturday's game, but young gun Harry Sheezel was one of them.

The No.3 2022 draft pick was tagged out of the contest against the Suns in Round 6, gaining just 11 disposals after a prolific opening five weeks off half-back, but bounced back on a trying night for his side in Round 7.

The 18-year-old collected 30 disposals and 11 marks in the disappointing defeat and tallied 25 pressure acts on the defensive end – equal-third most for the game (Liam Shiels – 36, Jy Simpkin – 26, Tom Sparrow – 25).

North Melbourne will need Sheezel at his best or close to it on Sunday as the team's defensive unit looks to shut down St Kilda's dynamic, attacking line-up.

Last time we met

North Melbourne couldn’t keep up with St Kilda in the latest hitout between the clubs, with the latter claiming a 53-point win after leading at every change in Round 11, 2022.

The Kangaroos managed to top the Saints in clearances 44-32, but failed to use their midfield prowess to advantage, falling by 24 in the inside-50 count.

With 30 hitouts, 16 disposals, two goals, a Mark of the Year contender, and one AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award vote, veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein was best afield for North Melbourne, ably supported by Jy Simpkin (29 disposals, 10 clearances, one goal).