Coming off the bye, North goes into a must-win clash against the Suns at Metricon Stadium.
With their season sitting precariously at six wins and six losses, the Roos will be desperate to prove themselves as finals contenders.
Teams
North Melbourne
B: Sam Wright, Robbie Tarrant, Michael Firrito
HB: Nick Dal Santo, Scott Thompson, Lachlan Hansen
C: Ben Jacobs, Ben Cunnington, Jamie Macmillan
HF: Brent Harvey, Jarrad Waite, Shaun Higgins
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Majak Daw
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Jack Ziebell, Andrew Swallow
Int: Trent Dumont, Shaun Atley, Robbie Nahas, Sam Gibson
Emer: Ryan Bastinac, Aaron Mullett, Luke McDonald
In: Majak Daw
Out: Ben Brown (omitted)
Gold Coast
B: S. Day, H. Schade, A. Saad
HB: K. Kolodjashnij, S. May, T. McKenzie
C: L. Russell, G. Ablett, N. Malceski
HF: D. Swallow, T. Lynch, A. Boston
F: K. Brooksby, C. Dixon, T. Miller
Fol: T. Nicholls, M. Rischitelli, M. Hallahan
Int: A. Sexton, A. Hall, B. Matera, J. Lonergan
Emerg: Z. Smith, M. Shaw, S. Tape
In: G. Ablett, D. Swallow, K. Brooksby, A. Hall
Out: A. Raines (Omitted), J. Harbrow (Ankle), H. Bennell (Wellbeing), S. Lemmens (Omitted)
Suns' key inclusions
Rodney Eade's team has had a tough year, but there's no better player to turn its fortunes around than Gary Ablett.
The Suns' captain has not played since Round 2 due to a shoulder injury, but after an extended spell he will no doubt be raring to go.
Ablett had 28 disposals and four goals when the teams last met in 2014.
Ben Jacobs has undertaken tagging roles on Dan Hannebery and Dylan Shiel in recent weeks with great effect - this would be another huge test.
David Swallow is also a big inclusion, having shown great improvement at the start of the year before going down with a knee injury.
Nevertheless, Gold Coast has also lost some key players, with Jarrod Harbrow (ankle) and Harley Bennell (wellbeing) both ruled out.
Back from the bye
North has a strong record of performing after the bye, as highlighted earlier in the week.
Last year it won 10 of its final 15 matches after losing to the Suns leading into the bye, and its record was equally as impressive the two years previous.
The chance to refresh and re-assess could be vital to the Roos' chances come the pointy end of the season.
Forward setup
The Drew Petrie, Jarrad Waite, Ben Brown combination has become the norm so far, and Majak Daw's introduction changes that dynamic.
The Suns will again be without Rory Thompson in defence, meaning there'll be plenty of pressure on Henry Schade, Sam Day and Steven May to hold firm in defence.
Daw has not played at AFL level since Round 14 last year, but has been a strong performer for Werribee in recent weeks.
Suns' scoring woes
Even when the Suns have got the job done defensively, they've struggled to score at the other end.
With an average of just seven goals a game over the past six weeks, they simply haven't been able to kick a winning score.
Gold Coast will take solace from the fact they managed 24 scoring shots against the Blues though, its highest tally since Round 6.
There was doubt around the availability of Charlie Dixon to an ankle injury, but the key-forward has been named to take his place in the side.
Aaron Hall is another handy addition, while Brooksby will likely start in a key-forward post.
Goldstein vs Nicholls/Brooksby
After a record hit-out tally against the Giants, Todd Goldstein is sure to come in for some more attention from the opposition.
The Suns have called up big man Keegan Brooksby to provide some further assistance for ruckman Tom Nicholls.
Despite having played only two AFL games, Brooksby is known for his athleticism and will look to make Goldstein work.
The ability of Daw to move up through the middle of the ground and provide the premier ruckman a chop-out could prove vital to the outcome of the game.
Gold Coast controversy
It's hard to imagine the events surrounding the club this week wouldn't have some impact on Gold Coast's preparation.
Nevertheless, criticism can often drive a team to perform, and the Suns will be desperate to prove the naysayers wrong.
North will need to be switched on early to avoid falling behind.
