Memories of last year's narrow victory will undoubtedly be in the players' minds as they prepare to face a much improved Suns side.
Teams
North Melbourne
B: Lachlan Hansen, Scott Thompson, Scott McMahon
HB: Daniel Wells, Nathan Grima, Michael Firrito
C: Sam Gibson, Shaun Atley, Jamie Macmillan
HF: Sam Wright, Drew Petrie, Brent Harvey
F: Lindsay Thomas, Aaron Black, Leigh Adams
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Ryan Bastinac
Int: Ben Cunnington, Taylor Hine, Majak Daw, Aaron Mullett
Emer: Brad McKenzie, Liam Anthony, Will Sierakowski
In: Majak Daw
Out: Will Sierakowski (omitted)
Gold Coast
B: Trent McKenzie, Sam Day, Joel Wilkinson
HB: David Swallow, Rory Thompson, Tom Murphy
C: Matt Shaw, Gary Ablett, Jarrod Harbrow
HF: Liam Patrick, Tom Lynch, Aaron Hall
F: Campbell Brown, Tim Sumner, Charlie Dixon
Fol: Tom Nicholls, Danny Stanley, Dion Prestia
Int: Jaeger O’Meara, Michael Rischitelli, Jack Hutchins, Luke Russell
Emer: Greg Broughton, Jared Brennan, Daniel Gorringe
In: Liam Patrick, Charlie Dixon, Jack Hutchins
Out: Brandon Matera (ankle), Kyal Horsley (omitted), Daniel Gorringe (omitted)
Key matchup
Drew Petrie v Rory Thompson
Petrie has made a habit of playing well against the Suns. In three matches he's averaged almost 20 disposals (his highest against any club), 11 marks (his highest against any club) and two goals per game.
However the 2013 version of Thompson is much improved. Since an impressive NAB Cup performance against Lance Franklin, Thompson has gone from strength to strength, enjoying a breakout season which led Brad Scott to label him as one of the best five key defenders in the competition.
With the introduction of Majak Daw into the side, Petrie should find more room to move as the Suns' defence is forced to cover three genuine tall forwards.
It was Petrie who played a big part in the closing stages of the Roos' victory over Gold Coast in the corresponding game last season, and he'll receive a lot of attention once more on Saturday night.
Missing in action
North Melbourne
Kieran Harper - ankle - test
Robbie Tarrant - leg - 1-2 weeks
Daniel Currie - thumb - 2 weeks
Tom Curran - foot - season
Gold Coast
Jared Brennan - knee - test
Charlie Dixon - ankle - test
Karmichael Hunt - hamstring - test
Harley Bennell - hamstring - 3 weeks
Jesse Lonergan - hamstring - 3-4 weeks
Brandon Matera - ankle - 10-12 weeks
Zac Smith - knee - season
Matthew Warnock - arm - indefinite
Young stars
North Melbourne
Aaron Black
Black has emerged as one of the most exciting young forwards in the league as he cements a spot in the North forward line. The number 35 is coming off a career-high five goal haul against St Kilda, four of which came in the first quarter.
His accuracy early in games has been a feature. While on the season Black has kicked 15.12; narrow it down to just the first quarter and the number becomes 8.2.
North's forward coach Brett Allison floated Sam Day as a potential matchup for Black, with the athleticism of the two making for a great contest.
Gold Coast
Dion Prestia
The newly re-signed Sun has been in form befitting of a new contract in 2013. Against the Cats in Round 9, Prestia laid 12 tackles, a career-high and indicative of the pressure he is putting on the opposition in and around the stoppages.
In the absence of Harley Bennell due to injury, Prestia has arguably developed into Gold Coast's second most important midfielder behind Gary Ablett. Considering Ablett is sure to get the share of attention, Prestia could slip under North's radar if he isn't provided the respect he deserves.
Where it could be won
Like many games, it all starts from the middle. However of importance to North is minimising the efficiency of Gold Coast's disposal.
When the Suns had the momentum against both Geelong and Hawthorn, a feature of their play was the ability to transition from defence into attack at a rapid pace, something the Roos have struggled to contain at times this season.
However a strong start, also a North feature in 2013, could kill the game off early. Two mentally demanding games in a row against the ladder leaders may have taken their toll on a young Gold Coast side.
Night conditions
Gold Coast has spent time training under lights at Metricon, replicating the vastly different conditions at night compared to when the sun is out.
It can often take visiting sides some time to adjust, making for a low scoring opening. Supporting that theory, there has been an average of only five goals in opening quarters in the five games at the ground so far this season, in comparison to more than eight in each of North's six games at Etihad Stadium.
Inaccuracy is also a factor, with neither Gold Coast (55.65), nor its opposition (62.63) kicking at more than 50 per cent in front of goal.
