With the home and away season just seven rounds long, the stakes are always high each week.

Two games in, there’s an early blockbuster as the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos collide with the Dogs at UTAS Stadium in Launceston.

The top of the table meeting between the competition newcomers and reigning premiers promises to be a thriller with both sides showing encouraging signs.

We take a look at the Dogs’ stars ahead of Friday night.

The opposition

Coach: Paul Groves
Co-captains: Ellie Blackburn and Katie Brennan 
Last year's finish: Premiers
Best and fairest: Emma Kearney

Ellie Blackburn

Co-captain Blackburn has been a shining light at Whitten Oval, earning back-to-back selection in the womens.afl AFLW team of the week.

The two-time All-Australian’s latest effort, which saw her tally 18 touches, eight marks and a goal against Geelong, highlights her ability to hurt the opposition across several areas of the ground.

Blackburn also leads the AFLW Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year, polling a maximum 10 votes for her authoritative display at Whitten Oval.

Katie Brennan

After struggling to impact the scoreboard in Round 1, the Dogs have relied heavily on the link-up play of their co-captain, who booted six goals in 2018.

Rated in the top five for average marks in last year’s competition, Brennan has received extra attention for her ability to impact the scoreboard.

Monique Conti

Seen by many as a genuine gamebreaker, the handling of Conti will be crucial to a positive outcome for the Roos on Friday night.

The line-breaking runner rebounded from a quiet season opener against Adelaide, tallying 19 touches in an endless pursuit of the footy.

Kirsty Lamb

A recent addition to the Dogs’ leadership team, Lamb operates with tenacity, while boasting the ability to play on either side of the ground.

Only the aforementioned Conti got more of the footy than Lamb for the Dogs last weekend, who impressed with an imposing five tackles and 18 touches against Geelong.