A loss for North would send it to 0-4 before a clash with one of the premiership favourites, Hawthorn.
Teams
North Melbourne
B: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
HB: Aaron Mullett, Nathan Grima, Jamie Macmillan
C: Daniel Wells, Shaun Atley, Ryan Bastinac
HF: Ben Cunnington, Drew Petrie, Taylor Hine
F: Lindsay Thomas, Todd Goldstein, Leigh Adams
Fol: Majak Daw, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
Int: Liam Anthony, Lachlan Hansen, Sam Wright, Sam Gibson
Emer: Brad McKenzie, Levi Greenwood, Will Sierakowski
In: Liam Anthony, Majak Daw
Out: Kieran Harper (omitted), Robbie Tarrant (knee)
New: Majak Daw
Brisbane
B: Jed Adcock, Daniel Merrett, Ash McGrath
HB: Sam Docherty, Joel Patfull, Andrew Raines
C: Sam Mayes, Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley
HF: Dayne Zorko, Jonathan Brown, Josh Green
F: Jack Redden, Stefan Martin, Niall McKeever
Fol: Matthew Leuenberger, Daniel Rich, Brent Moloney
Int: Ryan Harwood, Rohan Bewick, Marco Paparone, Mitch Golby
Emer: Patrick Karnezis, James Polkinghorne, Jack Crisp
In: Ryan Harwood, Marco Paparone, Sam Docherty
Out: James Polkinghorne, Jared Polec, Elliot Yeo
New: Sam Docherty, Marco Paparone
Key match-up
Jonathan Brown v Scott Thompson
With the key Brisbane forward in good form after five goals against the Gold Coast, Brad Scott is fully aware of the threat he provides.
"It's going to take a really good defensive effort to stop him," Scott said on Thursday.
"Scott Thompson is really pushing up into the elite bracket of defenders in the competition and probably doesn't get the respect he deserves. He kept his opponent goalless again on the weekend."
In the last meeting between the two sides, it was Luke Delaney who got the nod.
However, with Delaney playing for North Ballarat this week, it appears Thompson will be tasked with the job. Nathan Grima is another player more than capable of the role.
Home sweet home
Despite two of North's three losses this season coming at Etihad Stadium, before 2013 started it had won 10 of its last 12 matches at the ground. The faster track suits North's fleet feet with some big wins coming in the second half of 2012.
The Lions won the NAB Cup at Etihad, but were upset by the Western Bulldogs in Round 1 in disappointing fashion. In fact Brisbane's only win in its last eight regular season matches at the stadium was against the Bulldogs in Round 13, 2012.
Young midfields
At a basic level, North Melbourne's and Brisbane's centre setup is similar. The teams have one seasoned, experienced player; Andrew Swallow for the Kangaroos, Brent Moloney for Brisbane. They are flanked by younger midfielders ready to take the next step; Ziebell, Cunnington, Bastinac for North, Rich, Redden, Rockliff for the Lions.
But in the absence of Simon Black, it's hard to find a comparison for Daniel Wells.
In the ruck, Todd Goldstein and Matthew Leuenberger should have great battles for the next few years providing they both stay injury-free.
The midfield has been an area of concern in the second half for North. The opposition has got on top in this area in each of the opening three rounds, and it will be interesting to see the response following an 11-goal third quarter from the Swans last week.
Winning quarters
The Kangaroos have won seven out of 12 quarters but are yet to take the four points. Brisbane has won three out of its 12 and has one win.
While North's third quarters are its main problem, for Brisbane it is the final term. The Lions are yet to win a last quarter.
It's an interesting contrast between the two sides. When they met in 2012, the game followed a similar script; North won each of the first two quarters and jumped out to a 52-point half-time lead. Brisbane worked back into the game in the third quarter, before the Kangaroos were able to kill off the contest early in the last.
History repeating?
History suggests not many sides make the finals after losing their first four matches.
The last time North lost its first three matches was back in 2007 ahead of a match against the Lions in Round 4. While it was at its temporary 'home away from home' at Carrara, the Kangaroos got the points to kick-start their season and won the next six.
The safe assumption is that Brad Scott and the match committee will just be happy with a win on Sunday to get things back on track.
