North Melbourne will face a stern test at the Adelaide Oval this weekend, as it hopes to snap its losing streak with an upset win against a finals hopeful.

Prior to their week off, the Kangaroos continued to improve when they met the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium, but they faded late in the game and Luke Beveridge's side triumphed by 21 points.

The Roos will take an undesirable record at the ground into Saturday's game, but it won't deter them from hunting down a third win for the campaign and first at the venue. 

The opposition

The Crows suffered a painful, two-point defeat to ladder-leader Collingwood in Round 15, but remain in the top eight with a 7-7 record.

Dynamic club captain Jordan Dawson put on a masterclass against the Pies, as he amassed a career-high 35 disposals, 12 tackles, 10 inside 50s, 665 metres gained and nine score involvements.

Key forward Taylor Walker is in gleaming form, having booted 15 goals over his last two appearances to shoot to first in the Coleman Medal race.

While the Crows' form outside of South Australia has come into question, the Adelaide Oval has proven a fortress for Matthew Nicks' troops this season, with six strong wins from eight games at the venue.

Running hot

Harry Sheezel's exceptional rookie season continued against the Bulldogs in Round 14 as the young gun gathered a game-high 610 metres gained and team-highs in disposals (32) and score involvements (eight) to earn a coaches' vote.

A composed half-back, Sheezel has been a revelation for the Kangaroos this season. He sits 20th in the competition for total disposals (374) and fourth for defensive-half pressure acts (199), showing just how influential he's been since debuting in Round 1.

He has also shown some recent flashes of his capability as a midfielder, having won five clearances in each of his outings against the Bulldogs and Bombers.

What the coaches have said

North Melbourne interim senior coach Brett Ratten post-game v Western Bulldogs: "Our ability to hang in (games) has improved. We've had five weeks of pretty competitive footy and you get caught up saying 'that's what we like' ... but we've got to become better than that and that's about digging in and scrapping … and that's got to be the normal."

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks post-game v Collingwood: "I thought we showed what we're about and the (type of) team we are. We started well, showed some grit … when we play aggressive footy we are a really good side to watch."

Last time we met

Adelaide 15.13 (103) def. North Melbourne 10.14 (74), Round 22 at Adelaide Oval

Ben Cunnington was denied a fairytale AFL return when the Crows proved too strong on home turf late last season, winning by 29 points.

The Kangaroos goaled three times in four minutes through Paul Curtis, Cam Zurhaar and Jack Ziebell to take an eight-point lead into the main change. The scoreline was all square at three-quarter time, but then Adelaide kicked for home, powering to the win with five unanswered final-term goals.

Luke Davies-Uniacke continued to elevate his game, delivering an outstanding individual performance despite the defeat. He finished with 37 possessions, 11 clearances, 10 inside 50s and a goal.

He was supported in midfield by Jy Simpkin, who gathered 30 disposals, 10 clearances and seven tackles, while Darcy Fogarty (four goals, seven marks) and Jordan Dawson (33 disposals, 830 metres gained, nine marks) helped lead the Crows to the four points.