On return from the bye, North Melbourne faces potentially a season-defining month of football.

Currently sitting at four wins and three losses, the next four matches will determine whether the Kangaroos find themselves fighting for a top four position, safely entrenched in the top eight or battling for a finals spot.

It starts at Etihad Stadium.

Round 9 v Brisbane, Saturday May 17
Etihad Stadium, 4:40pm EST

It can be argued North has only won one game this season when it has started as favourites. On current form lines, it will almost definitely be expected to win this game against the Lions.

The potential return of Andrew Swallow and Daniel Wells would see the midfield at full strength for the first time in 2014.
There was a similar situation when the two teams met at Etihad in 2013; on that afternoon Majak Daw made his debut. It kick-started North’s season as it rolled to the first victory of the year.

However there is also the flip side of what happened in the return game at the GABBA later in the year. Behind Tom Rockliff, Sam Mayes, Pearce Hanley and Jonathan Brown, the Lions ran over the top of North to win by 12 points.
Despite Brisbane struggling for wins so far in 2014, the last meeting should be all the reminder North needs to not take a side lightly.

Storyline: Can North handle expectations and defeat a bottom eight side?

Round 10 v Geelong, Friday May 23
Simonds Stadium, 7:50pm EST

The last three games between North and Geelong have been high-quality, high-intensity affairs. However the common thread in all three has been the location – Etihad Stadium.

This won’t be the case in Round 10 as the two sides meet in the first ever Friday night AFL game at Simonds Stadium.

Both sides will be coming off six-day breaks; however the Kangaroos will have the advantage of backing up from a home game. Geelong will be returning from Perth after facing Fremantle at Patersons Stadium.

There is also the matter of the Cats’ incredible record at home to deal with. Since North was victorious at the ground in 2007, Geelong has won 51 of 54 games. All three losses have been by 15 points or less as well, meaning with perhaps a bit of luck it could have gone undefeated.

Storyline: Can Geelong be the first Victorian side to win the week after a trip to Patersons Stadium?

Round 11 v West Coast, Sunday June 1
Patersons Stadium, 7:40pm EST

A Sunday night game in Perth is the pre-show for ‘WA Day’, a public holiday the on the Monday which celebrates the founding of Western Australia in 1829.

While West Coast may be on the wrong side of the win-loss ledger going into this game, the only numbers relevant to North during the week will be 0-5.

Under Brad Scott, the Eagles have arguably been the team to inflict the most heartbreak on North Melbourne. From the 96-point finals victory to Nic Naitanui’s goal after the siren in 2013, the five-game streak has been littered with devastating moments.

However North will draw encouragement from its performance at Patersons Stadium against Fremantle in Round 4 that snapped a six-game losing streak at the ground.

Storyline: Can North defeat West Coast?/Adam Simpson coaches his first game against his former club

Round 12 v Richmond, Sunday June 8
Etihad Stadium, 7:10pm EST

Considering North Melbourne’s performance against Gold Coast leading into the bye after returning from Perth, there’s every chance this game will be a heavy focus for the side.

North has had a good recent record against Richmond, winning the last three contests. Scoring hasn’t been a problem either, with scores of more than 100 points in every contest with Brad Scott at the helm.

It’s the Kangaroos' last game at Etihad until Round 16, marking the second three-week period of the season it stays away from its home ground.

Storyline: How will North fare with the trip back from Perth?