North Melbourne has been a different side since coming out of the bye, and will look to continue its resurgence when it faces a refreshed Western Bulldogs outfit at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
A fourth-quarter blitz at the MCG wasn't quite enough for the Roos to topple the Demons in Round 15, but there were more encouraging signs in the three-point defeat.
Round 16, North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
Where: Marvel Stadium, Docklands, VIC
When: Saturday, June 29 at 1.45pm AEST
How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo Sports
The opposition
The Bulldogs (7-7) evened their win-loss ledger last time out with a thumping 76-point win over fellow finals aspirants Fremantle at home.
Captain Marcus Bontempelli was at his game-breaking best, collecting 30 disposals, eight marks, and eight inside 50s, while booting three goals and setting up three as well.
The group could be bolstered by the addition of key forwards Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy, with Naughton on track to return from a knee injury and Darcy available having served his two-game suspension.
The Dogs remain adrift from the top eight and will be eager to avoid falling further back as the season approaches its pointy end.
What the coaches have said
North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson, post-game v Melbourne: "A lot of the statistics that we're searching for as a side, contested possessions, tackles, groundballs, those sorts of things, are really strong, and when you're coming up against Melbourne, who have been the side in that space in the last five years, we take some great positives out of that.
Western Bulldogs senior coach Luke Beveridge, post-game v Fremantle: "It's an outstanding result in the end (but) without getting carried away we're 7-7 and right in the middle of the pack … so we can't get too excited. I'm really pleased and proud of the group with the way they've persevered through a difficult period. No one in this competition is easy to beat but we knew there were challenges ahead so to get some momentum back in the season and at least give us a look post-bye is a good position for us to be in."
Running hot
Cam Zurhaar
'Bull' was cooking on Saturday night.
He was the most prolific forward on the MCG turf despite his side's narrow loss, kicking four goals from 12 touches in his highest return for the season.
His eight score involvements were also game-highs, as were his two goals assists, showing he wasn't only finishing his work but also creating opportunities for teammates.
Milestone watch
Star onballer Luke Davies-Uniacke is set to raise the bat on Saturday as he heads out for his 100th AFL appearance.
Drafted with the fourth overall pick of the 2017 National Draft, 'LDU' has dazzled during his time at Arden Street and is currently producing some of his best footy.
He's been a key to North Melbourne's promising run of form over the past month and has been averaging 28.3 disposals (career-high) and 6.3 clearances per game in 2024.
