It's the week the League descends on the city of Adelaide, and for the second consecutive season, North Melbourne and Brisbane will battle it out in Gather Round.

It will be the third time in four weeks the Roos have faced a 2023 preliminary finalist, and like the Lions, will be hunting their first win of the season.

Round 4, Brisbane v North Melbourne

Where: Norwood Oval, Adelaide, SA
When: Friday, April 5 at 5.10pm AEDT, 4.40pm ACDT
How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo Sports

The opposition

Few pundits would have tipped the side that only lost last year's Grand Final by four points to go winless in its first three matches, but that's the current situation Chris Fagan's group finds itself in.

Under Fagan, the Lions have built their style on progressing play by foot, prioritising wing play rather than attacking through the corridor. However, after defeats to Carlton, Fremantle, and Collingwood, they may look to inject some speed into their ball movement when they face a young Kangaroos outfit.

Recent history lies on Brisbane's side, having beaten the Roos in each of the clubs' past six meetings.

What the coaches have said

North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson on Wednesday: "Playing these really good sides at the start of the year gives you a good feel for where you need to get to. It's great exposure for the Duursmas and the McKerchers, and still the Sheezels and the Wardlaws. Wardlaw's likely to play on Lachie Neale at stages this week. Lachie's been playing for 10 years and George has played about 10 games, so that’s just great exposure for him."

Brisbane senior coach Chris Fagan on Wednesday: "I think the key to it all is not to overreact and just stick with what you know that works. Sometimes the biggest mistake you can make is to jump around too much and change too many things and then you lose the essence of who you are as a team, and blokes really start not believing in themselves."

Running hot

Harry Sheezel

The half-back maestro has picked up where he left off following his stellar debut campaign.

North Melbourne's No.3 is yet to fall below 32 touches this season and has been averaging 599.6 metres gained, including a career-high 755m against the Giants in Round 1.

He was arguably the Kangaroos' best afield in last week's Good Friday SuperClash, finishing with a game-high nine intercept possessions, eight marks and a goal assist from his 32 possessions.

In the mix

With Callum Coleman-Jones going down with a ruptured Achilles, the Roos will look to bring in some tall timber for Friday evening.

Finnbar Maley (21 disposals, 13 marks, two goals) and Charlie Comben (22 disposals, 13 marks) were impressive in North Melbourne's recent VFL win over the Blues, while Hugh Greenwood (15 disposals, one goal) stands as another option, given his ability to challenge in the ruck.

Nine majors in two weeks at the reserves level also has Tyler Sellers in the mix.