Who: North Melbourne v Geelong
Where and when: Etihad Stadium, Sunday April 2, 1:10pm AEDT
TV and radio: Broadcast guide
Tickets: Purchase tickets
Storyline
Can North bounce back after a 43-point loss against the Eagles last week?
While it's a Cats' home game, the Roos are in familiar territory at Etihad Stadium and will certainly enjoy not having to travel down the highway to the fortress that is Simonds Stadium.
Geelong comes off a win against Fremantle away from home, but will the travel factor impact their preparation?
The Cats will go in as favourites, but North will have plenty of belief that it can cause an upset.
Hot topics
Midfield battle
The Roos' players will have bad memories of Patrick Dangerfield's 48-disposal haul when the teams met in 2016, but North's midfield brigade will take confidence from last week's effort against West Coast.
The likes of Jack Ziebell, Shaun Higgins and Trent Dumont were strong in the clearances and won more contested possessions than their opposition.
With designated stopper Ben Jacobs on the injury list, it means the Roos will tackle the likes of Dangerfield and Joel Selwood with a team-based defensive approach.
The ruck setup
Rhys Stanley played a key role in quelling the influence of Aaron Sandilands last week, but another huge task looms against Goldstein on Sunday.
North's number 22 had a strong start to 2017, booting three goals and amassing 32 hit-outs.
Both strong athletes, Goldstein and Stanley will have a fascinating battle around the ground, but perhaps it's those providing relief that loom as the most important players in the ruck battle.
Braydon Preuss and Majak Daw have both been named at North, while Zac Smith could make his return for the Cats, and Mark Blicavs is more than capable in the ruck. When the first-choice big men are resting forward or on the bench, who will take the ascendency?
North's forward focus
With Jarrad Waite out, Ben Brown could be in for some extra attention from the Cats' experienced defensive group.
Lachie Henderson and Tom Lonergan are among the likely match-ups for the North big man, with Harry Taylor now finding a more permanent place in attack.
The Roos will be hoping Goldstein can have a similar impact to last week, while Preuss and Daw are among those pushing for another key-forward position.
The burning questions
Can North find its groove?
It was always going to take some time for the Roos to settle into 2017, with six new faces in the team for Round 1.
Accuracy in front of goal was also an issue North will be looking to rectify from last week.
After a full game together and another week on the track, how will the team respond?
How will the travel factor affect Geelong?
Remarkably, the Cats haven't lost following a Subiaco trip since way back in 2006. If past history is anything to go by, it won't be a factor in the result.
Squads
North Melbourne
Backs Marley Williams Scott Thompson Luke McDonald
Half Backs Jamie Macmillan Robbie Tarrant Shaun Atley
Centreline Sam Gibson Trent Dumont Andrew Swallow
Half Forwards Nathan Hrovat Lachie Hansen Jy Simpkin
Forwards Lindsay Thomas Ben Brown Kayne Turner
Followers Todd Goldstein Jack Ziebell Shaun Higgins
Interchange Ben Cunnington, Aaron Mullett, Taylor Garner, Majak Daw
Emergencies Braydon Preuss, Mitch Hibberd, Declan Mountford
In: B.Cunnington, M.Daw, A.Mullett, T.Garner
Out: J.Waite (Shoulder), M. Hibberd (omitted), B. Preuss (omitted), D.Mountford (omitted)
Geelong
Backs Andrew Mackie Tom Lonergan Zach Tuohy
Half Backs Jackson Thurlow Lachie Henderson Tom Stewart
Centreline George Horlin-Smith Joel Selwood Mitch Duncan
Half Forwards Jordan Murdoch Harry Taylor Darcy Lang
Forwards Daniel Menzel Tom Hawkins Steven Motlop
Followers Rhys Stanley Patrick Dangerfield Mark Blicavs
Interchange Josh Cowan, Lincoln McCarthy, Brandan Parfitt, Tom Ruggles
Emergencies Jed Bews, Sam Menegola, Zac Smith
In: D.Lang
Out: N.Cockatoo (hand)
