Hawthorn premiership champion Dermott Brereton says North has what it takes to triumph in its biggest challenge of the season so far.

"If we are to confidently say that they are the team to beat, or that they are undeniably the best team in the comp, they need a scalp. And a good scalp," he wrote in his weekly Herald Sun column.

However he said the Roos must change the way they played against the Suns last week.

"If North thinks they are going to allow the ball to live in their backline until such time as they are comfortable to exit, they are playing with fire — one very hot fire."

He believes North must get the ball in quick to its firing forward line.

"Drew Petrie is still really good and he does a mountain of work. Perhaps even more work than a player of his standing is expected to do.

"Ben Brown is averaging two and a half goals a game. He is a wonderful foil inside 50m and if needed he is very capable of marking on the lead.

"Then there is Jarrad Waite. He has somehow managed to string game after game together and get consistency. Carlton must be wondering what is in the water at Arden St.

"The one wish a forward makes to the footy gods before the first bounce is to receive the ball at pace. And North have been supplying Petrie, Waite and Co. through the express ball transferral from their backline because of Shaun Atley, Jamie Macmillan and Wells.

"And if during these express chains Higgins and Dal Santo can get their mitts on the ball, the forwards lick their lips.

"North’s ability to bring the ball forward at pace is actually better than the Western Bulldogs’."

Despite the Roos 'ageing list' Brereton expects them to get the job done at Etihad Stadium.

"All through their list, forget the high numbers — they are very healthy.

"And they are better than they were last year, in a competition that has come back a rung and evened out a little.

"I expect them to take that hard-earned scalp."