With both teams looking to kick-start their campaigns, Sunday’s clash at Etihad Stadium looms as a vital encounter.

The Bulldogs welcome back their captain and will be delighted to be back in Melbourne after a horror road-trip to Subiaco, while North couldn’t have had a more forgettable start to the year in the loss to Essendon.

NMFC.com.au looks at some of the key talking points heading into the Round 2 match.

The squads

North Melbourne
Backs A.Mullett 41 N.Grima 17 J.Macmillan 34
Half Backs S.Atley 18 S.Thompson 16 B.McKenzie 2
Centreline R.Bastinac 3 J.Ziebell 7 N.Dal Santo 15
Half Forwards L.Adams 13 A.Black 35 B.Cunnington 10
Forwards L.Thomas 12 D.Petrie 20 L.Hansen 6
Followers T.Goldstein 22 D.Wells 8 B.Harvey 29
Interchange From D.Currie 1 B.Jacobs 5 S.Wright 19 L.McDonald 21 L.Greenwood 24 S.McMahon 42 S.Gibson 43

Western Bulldogs
Backs L.Picken J. Roughead E.Wood
Half Backs J. Johannisen D. Morris R.Murphy
Centreline A. Cooney R. Griffen K.Stevens
Half Forwards L.Dahlhaus S.Crameri S. Higgins
Forwards L.Hunter J. Stringer D. Giansiracusa
Followers W.Minson M. Boyd T. Liberatore
Interchange From M.Wallis J. Macrae L. Jones T. Young T. Dickson T. Campbell L. Jong  

The ruck duel

The duel between Will Minson and Todd Goldstein will have a massive say on the game - assuming the latter plays. 

Goldstein injured his shoulder in Round 1 and Brad Scott has stated he won’t take the field unless 100 per cent fit.

Waiting in the wings is Daniel Currie. Seven years on an AFL list is yet to net the big man a game, but that’s been in no part due to lack of talent.

Currie has been an emergency regularly and been one of the most consistent performers at VFL level over the past year. If his opportunity presents, he’ll be ready to go.

Minson had a rare poor game against the Eagles against quality opposition in Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox. He’ll be eager to make a mark.

Running hot

North Melbourne – Lindsay Thomas
The dynamic small-forward was one of few shining lights for North in its season-opener, booting four goals.

He pulled down marks when others around him couldn’t and provided plenty of pressure going the other away.

After Dale Morris’ outstanding job on Josh Kennedy, Drew Petrie or Aaron Black may be his next target, but the Bulldogs’ defender is one of the league’s most versatile players and could be the perfect match-up for Thomas.

Robert Murphy is another capable of the role, or even Luke Dahlhaus who spent most of the night in defence at Subiaco.

Western Bulldogs – Jackson Macrae
With just 14 games under his belt, Macrae is fast becoming one of the league’s up-and-coming stars.

The former number six draft pick racked up 31 disposals and kicked two goals against the Eagles, coming off a strong NAB Cup campaign.

Adding weight to his frame during the pre-season, Macrae can punish the opposition if he isn't offered the respect he deserves. 

Time to lift

North Melbourne – Daniel Wells
After winning his second Syd Barker Medal last season, Wells was one of many players down on his best in the opening round due to a heavy tag.

With just 11 disposals, it was Wells’ lowest disposal tally in over a year, and he was lacking his usual dash and enthusiasm.

A player of his calibre rarely plays two bad games in a row. He’s sure to hit back.

Western Bulldogs – Liam Jones
The high-marking forward is the future of the Bulldogs’ attack, but is yet to find the all-important consistency needed at AFL level.

With Stewart Crameri by his side, Jones should find some more freedom leading up to the ball, with opposition coaches sure to put time into the more experienced forward.

Areas of improvement

North Melbourne – Contested ball
Scott was highly critical of his team’s ability to win the ball in close against Essendon, and with good reason.

North had just 110 contested possessions, the lowest tally of any team in Round 1 and remarkably its worst effort in the statistical category since Round 4, 2010 (a 40-point loss to Sydney).

The number was well down on North’s average of 140 in 2013 and prompted the inclusion of Levi Greenwood and Ben Jacobs in the squad.

Western Bulldogs – Contested ball
In an area the Bulldogs pride themselves on, its efforts against the Eagles were equally as disappointing as North’s.

With just 125 contested possessions, Brendan McCartney’s team was well down on last year’s average of 149.

Reason for optimism? The return of Griffen is huge. Seventh in the competition for contested possession last year, the Dogs’ skipper will make a big difference in the middle.

Substitutes

North Melbourne
After Leigh Adams made a habit of finding the football in just a quarter and a half off the bench, he’ll be looking to step up into a starting role.

But will Scott opt to use his influence as a substitute again given his impact last week?

Brad McKenzie made a name for himself last season for his precision skills coming on late in games, wearing the vest on six occasions, while Sam Wright was another who has experience as a sub.

Western Bulldogs
A regular in the green vest in 2013, Daniel Giansiracusa continued in the role in Round 1.

Late in his career, the 250-gamer is perfectly suited to the substitute role, using his skill and experience to wear down opposition defences late in games.

Giansiracusa had 11 disposals off the bench last week in just 38 per cent game time.

While Griffen was considered as a substitute returning from injury last week, the Dogs opted to hold him over to ensure he can get through a full game.

Where North can win it

Attacking threats
The Eagles’ multiple goal-kicking options eventually took control of last week’s game, despite Kennedy being kept reasonably quiet by Morris.

North’s forwards could provide a similar problem, with Petrie, Black, Thomas and Lachlan Hansen more than capable around the big sticks.

Even minus Majak Daw, who booted six goals when the teams last met, the Kangaroos will look to stretch their opponents. 

Petrie described his game against the Bombers as one of the worst of his career, and it will be interesting to see how he responds.

The number 20 has performed strongly in previous games between the two sides with 16 goals in the last four matches, and he’ll be desperate to continue that form.