It will face a Sydney side coming off two consecutive wins to kick start its premiership defence.
Teams
North Melbourne
B: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
HB: Aaron Mullett, Nathan Grima, Shaun Atley
C: Daniel Wells, Ryan Bastinac, Liam Anthony
HF: Ben Cunnington, Robbie Tarrant, Lachlan Hansen
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Leigh Adams
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
Int: Sam Gibson, Sam Wright, Jamie Macmillan, Taylor Hine
In: Taylor Hine, Sam Wright
Out: Kieran Harper (omitted), Ben Jacobs (omitted)
Sydney
B: Marty Mattner, Heath Grundy, Nick Smith
HB: Jarrad McVeigh, Ted Richards, Nick Malceski
C: Andrejs Everitt, Kieren Jack, Lewis Jetta
HF: Ryan O'Keefe, Sam Reid, Ben McGlynn
F: Mike Pyke, Adam Goodes, Daniel Hannebery
Fol: Shane Mumford, Josh Kennedy, Jude Bolton
Int: Craig Bird, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Luke Parker, Tony Armstrong
In: Tony Armstrong
Out: Rhyce Shaw (abdominal strain)
Battle hardened?
North has started the season with two games against top-four candidates in Collingwood and Geelong. Despite the end result being 0-2, it could be argued it has shown better form than the Swans.
Sydney has for the most part, been in cruise control in defeating Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney by a combined total of 71 points. Out of its eight quarters played, it has won five but has not lost a quarter by more than two points.
There's no doubt this week will be Sydney's first genuine test of the season.
North played Blundstone Arena well last season and will be determined to avoid a third consecutive loss.
Transition play
While it isn't a main feature of Sydney's game, its small forwards can often catch sides out on the rebound. In Sydney's win over the Gold Coast, it frequently caught the Suns napping early in the game after absorbing sustained pressure in its own defensive 50.
In North's Round 15 game against West Coast at Blundstone Arena last season, it used turnovers in the midfield to set up scoring shots (nine of its 13 goals).
Key players
North Melbourne
Taylor Hine
Making his North Melbourne debut on Saturday, it appears Hine will be tasked with the job of minding Swans forward Lewis Jetta.
While Jetta has been relatively quiet to begin the year, in his last meeting against North he kicked three goals, breaking the game open at key moments.
Luke Parker
While the focus is on Sydney's veterans, this young midfielder has been going about his work superbly.
Parker had a strong start to 2012, before fading late. It seems another pre-season has enabled him to have a bigger influence in close. His tackling numbers have increased with 15 in the first two rounds while averaging 22.5 disposals.
Defensive 50 ball usage
While Sydney's small forwards can often catch teams out on the rebound, they are also deadly inside their attacking 50.
After the first fortnight of the year, Sydney ranks second in score launches from forward 50 - i.e. creating turnovers once the opposition earns possession.
Therefore it means North will have to be precise with its usage when exiting its defensive 50.
It has been an area of its game which has been solid so far, only conceding three goals in the first two weeks from turnovers inside the defensive 50.
Key players and their influence
The contrast of the two sides in the midfield will be a fascinating battle.
Brad Scott tends to prefer to play head-to-head with his opponents, backing in his midfield to have more of an influence on the contest. It means the likes of Scott Pendlebury and Joel Selwood were able to collect 31 and 26 quality disposals respectively in the first two rounds.
However in Round 1, it was Andrew Swallow and Daniel Wells who had quality games, while against Geelong it was Swallow and Ryan Bastinac again playing well.
Meanwhile Sydney prefers to shut down its opponents' key players. Against GWS, second year star Toby Greene only had 11 disposals, while Gary Ablett had a very quiet 23 possession game for Gold Coast on Saturday, far below his normal output.
Interstate travel
Saturday will be both sides' first interstate game of the season.
In 2012 North Melbourne was 3-6 in its nine trips with one victory at Blundstone Arena, Skoda Stadium and Metricon Stadium.
Sydney won eight of its 11 games, only losing once at the MCG, Simonds Stadium and Docklands. It will be the Swans' first trip to Blundstone Arena.
