North has become somewhat of a bogey team for the Demons in recent years; 11 defeats in a row since 2007 means history is against Paul Roos’ team.

That will mean little on Sunday though and coming off a thrilling win against the Bombers, Melbourne will go in full of confidence.

The Kangaroos’ two greatest winning streaks come against their Round 14 opponent, although there’s still plenty of work to do to match the 16-game winning run between 1976 and 1984.

Melbourne’s last victory in head-to-heads was way back in Round 20 of 2006,  a year in which it played in a semi-final, while Dean Laidley’s side finished 14th.

The ever-changing football landscape is evident when you consider just five players (Michael Firrito, Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Andrew Swallow and Daniel Wells) remain on the list to this day.

Perhaps most fitting is the fact Harvey was North’s best on the day with 33 disposals as a ‘youthful’ 28-year-old with just 214 games to his name.

Andrew Swallow lined up for game 10 in the number 19 guernsey.

Only Mark Jamar and Nathan Jones from the winning side will be in the Demons’ 22 on Sunday.

The Roos have a 50 per cent record since (86 wins from 172), while Melbourne has boasted just 39 wins from 170 games since, including the 11 defeats at the hands of North.

Without back-to-back wins since 2011, there’s plenty to prove for a team that’s shown huge improvement this year; the Kangaroos won’t have it all their own way this time around.

The streak
Round 18, 2013 – North 22.18.150 defeated Melbourne 4.4.28
Round 18, 2012 – North 19.13.127 defeated Melbourne 11.7.73
Round 8, 2011 – North 19.10.124 defeated Melbourne 12.11.83
Round 22, 2010 – North 17.11.113 defeated Melbourne 15.13.103
Round 6, 2010 – North 15.14.104 defeated Melbourne 12.6.78
Round 19, 2009 – North 19.9.123 defeated Melbourne 8.13.61
Round 1, 2009 – North 15.11.101 defeated Melbourne 10.7.67
Round 17, 2008 – North 14.14.98 defeated Melbourne 10.10.70
Round 4, 2008 – North 18.19.127 defeated Melbourne 11.13.79
Round 16, 2007 – North 19.12.126 defeated Melbourne 9.8.62
Round 9, 2007 – North 10.19.79 defeated Melbourne 11.12.78

North winning streaks (v opponent)
16: Melbourne – 1976-1984
11*: Melbourne – 2007-
10: Hawthorn – 1955-
10: Footscray – 1973-1978
9: Port Adelaide – 1997-2002

* Current streak