Six long months after its 2012 season ended in the scorching heat at Patersons Stadium, North Melbourne gets the chance to test just how far it’s come over the off-season.

With 10 wins from its last 12 matches at Etihad Stadium, the venue has become somewhat of a fortress for the Kangaroos.

A win to kick-start a tough first month would be a great result for Brad Scott and his team.

Fast or slow?

North ran opposition teams off their feet in the second half of 2012. However the game-styles of both sides could make for an intriguing battle on Sunday.

While North played 'fast' in most of its wins last season, the victory over Collingwood was one of the few where it controlled the tempo of the game, choosing to play in a much more deliberate fashion.

Perhaps in a nod to the performance on that night, there has been a heavy pre-season focus from North on minimising the opposition's chances to score when they have the momentum. It may be reasonable to assume the ball movement could be a little slower than previous outings, protecting the defenders.

In its second season under Nathan Buckley, Collingwood has continued to tinker with its style, looking to take more risks in possession while using the corridor regularly. This is a move away from the way it played under Mick Malthouse, when the Magpies favoured the boundary line.

Despite rotating a host of players throughout all NAB Cup matches, Collingwood's movement with the ball has been noticeably quicker. It all sets up for a fascinating tactical battle.

Missing in action

North Melbourne's good run has continued with a full list to choose from leading into Sunday's game. Scott credits the work of the club’s sport science team.

"It's a fine line striking that balance between doing enough work in the pre-season and overworking your players and getting them injured, but Steve Saunders (Director of Medical Services) and Andy McMahon (Club Doctor) just combine really well to set up a great program to get our players conditioned and keep them resilient to injury."

Collingwood will be missing a number of its senior players. Luke Ball, Alan Didak, Andrew Krakouer and Dale Thomas have already been ruled out, while Ben Reid will be given until the last possible moment to prove his fitness.

New additions

Both sides look likely to feature recycled players. Ben Jacobs, Jordie Gysberts and Taylor Hine are all in the frame for selection at North, while Quinten Lynch and Jordan Russell will almost certainly play, with Clinton Young  still a week or two away from match fitness.

Whether the new blood has too much effect on the respective teams' structures remains to be seen. On paper it appears that if Hine debuts, it would be a like-for-like change to replace McMahon, while Jacobs and/or Gysberts would slot into the midfield rotation.

Lynch has been recruited to replace Chris Dawes in attack, while Russell provides Collingwood with some extra drive from half-back.

Season openers

A strong start doesn't necessarily lead to a strong year; only five of the nine first round victors in 2012 ended up playing in September.

However with North having such a tough start to the season, every win is crucial early. A first-up win could set the ball rolling with increased confidence among the playing group.

Travis Cloke

NMFC.com.au asked its Facebook fans who they would choose to match up on Collingwood's key forward:

Jacob Abela: I think Thompson, he can really get under a good forwards’ skin... don't get me wrong Grima can do it too, but Thompson is the man for this job.

Stewart Mountain-Man: Thompson should take Cloke, but will need help from someone like Macmillan or Wright to take up the empty space in front of Cloke.

Brenton Hurley: Scotty with somebody always coming 3rd man up. Maybe Hine can go 3rd man up since McMahon is out.

Jesse Bruce Cardinale: (Nathan) Grima with Scott Thompson as 3rd man up taking marks in front.