The Roos return to Marvel Stadium on Saturday to welcome a September-hopeful Bombers outfit in what will be an emotional send off for one of North Melbourne's greatest ever players, Ben Cunnington.

Cunnington announced he would be hanging up the boots earlier in the week, with Round 22 serving as his last in the AFL.

He returns to Alastair Clarkson's side which will be eager to build on the exciting first term it produced in Hobart last weekend, when it led an in-form Demons line-up by 26 points at quarter-time.

The opposition

The Bombers managed to escape their Round 21 clash with the 18th-placed Eagles with a hard-fought one-point victory, despite trailing with just 90 seconds remaining on the clock.

The last-gasp win keeps their finals hopes alive with three games left in the season, but in 12th with a record of 10-10, their work is cut out for them considering how tight the race for a finals spot is.

Last Saturday's hero, Kyle Langford, has proven to be a dangerous and dynamic forward for Essendon in 2023 and currently sits equal seventh on the goalkicking leaderboard with 45 following a second five-goal haul in as many weeks.

Captain Zach Merrett is also having a stellar campaign in midfield and poses as a challenge for North Melbourne's midfield given his ability to create and use the ball effectively going forward. The No.7 is averaging 28.9 touches per game and will be supported by Darcy Parish who ranks third in the League for clearances per game (7.9).

The magnets

Young onballer George Wardlaw is a chance to return for his first senior game since straining his hamstring against the Hawks in Round 18. He'll face a fitness test later in the week, as will Tom Powell after being troubled by his ITB in the VFL last weekend.

Dan Howe (25 disposals, four goals) and Hugh Greenwood (24 disposals, 12 tackles, nine clearances) both impressed in the reserves despite the defeat and have pressed claims for recalls.

What the coaches have said

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson post-game v Melbourne: "We were pleased that we were in the contest this time around (against Melbourne), but the good sides can just do it for longer at the present time. But we're learning, we played a really good side today and for 40 minutes we really troubled them so that was pleasing, we just need to find ways to do it for longer."

Essendon coach Brad Scott on Wednesday: "North was terrific (in the first half against Melbourne). There's no doubt that we're going to have to be at our best to get the job done and everyone's clear on that. It's not only North's performance against Melbourne, its Hawthorn's performance against Collingwood, it was Fremantle's performance against Brisbane … coaches say a lot that it's an even competition and it takes a round like that for everyone to think 'yeah, it is'."

Last time we met

Essendon 16.9 (105) def North Melbourne 15.9 (99), Round 12, 2023 at Marvel Stadium

Looking to build on its solid finish to Round 11 against Collingwood, North Melbourne began its clash with Essendon in Round 12 on the back foot, conceding four of the game's first five goals.

Showing resilience, the Roos fired back in what quickly became a see-sawing affair, despite losing both Jy Simpkin and Hugh Greenwood to concussion.

Six consecutive goals saw North Melbourne snatch a 17-point lead during the third quarter but four goals to Kyle Langford and one from Massimo D'Ambrosio, which was ultimately the sealer, saw the Bombers claim a six-point victory.

Will Phillips played one of his best games in blue and white so far to finish with 27 disposals, eight clearances and a goal, while Cam Zurhaar booted four majors of his own.