If North is to make Brent Harvey's 400th game a winner, it must overcome an Achilles heel of recent times - defeating Brisbane at the Gabba.
The Kangaroos have only won in one of their last 11 trips to the ground, dating all the way back to the turn of the century. Their last victory at the Gabba came when Brad Scott was still a member of the Brisbane line up.
It has tended to be one costly patch which has prevented the four points coming back home, and it was particularly evident last season.
North won three out of four quarters on a wet Gabba surface in Round 15, but still lost by four points. Brisbane kicked 10 goals for the evening - seven of them in a second term blitz.
Going back to 2013, North had a hard earned 33-point lead nearing three quarter time. Brisbane proceeded to kick six goals in 13 minutes on either side of the final change to eliminate the buffer.
The Lions are very capable of pulling off something similar on Saturday night. Playing for a milestone of their own - Jed Adcock's 200th game - their lowly ladder position conceals their ability to put on a quick burst while playing at home.
In each of Brisbane's last four games at the Gabba it has taken advantage of momentum in games.
- Round 7 v Port Adelaide: Six goals to one in the second quarter
- Round 9 v St Kilda: Seven goals to one in the first quarter
- Round 13 v Adelaide: First four goals before time on of the first quarter
- Round 15 v Sydney: Four goals in 10 minutes of the third quarter
Through the midfield, Dayne Beams has more than lived up to the price tag the Lions paid to obtain him.
He leads the club in disposals (more than 100 clear of the next Lion), clearances (almost double the next Lion) and inside 50's. All while playing through an injured shoulder that he admitted may need post-season surgery.
Elsewhere Tom Rockliff is working his way back to peak form after a year full of injury interruptions. His team record 17 tackles against Melbourne last Sunday show the captain is back to his trademark tenaciousness without the ball; only the offensive side remains.
If Pearce Hanley is passed fit to play, the Kangaroos will have a Gabba nemesis to deal with. The Irishman has relished the home matchup in the past two years.
Last season he polled the three Brownlow votes, collecting 34 disposals, six clearances, six inside 50's and six rebound 50's. In 2013 he kicked three important second half goals, including the sealer deep into time on of the final term.
If North is to break the Gabba hoodoo for the first time in a decade, the key Lions' movers must be kept quiet and their trademark bursts will have to be minimised.
