Collingwood’s much vaunted midfield is understandably the focus of many opposition clubs and it will also be for North Melbourne on Sunday.

What makes the Magpies so proficient through the midfield is their depth in rotations. A look at their side in Round 21 last season shows more than two-thirds of their side could spend time through the centre if needed. It allows Nathan Buckley flexibility in his matchups and leads to opposition players playing out of their preferred positions.

By turning the game into more of a one-on-one battle, it allows Collingwood’s top-line midfielders such as Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan and Dayne Beams more space against their respective opponents.

Despite Pendlebury’s uncharacteristically quiet game against North last season – his 24 disposals were the lowest total after his return from injury in the second half of the year – Jack Ziebell was more than aware of the damage he can create.

“Scott Pendlebury is one of the elite players in the competition. His ability to find the football in traffic and then dispose of it while always hitting targets is really dangerous going forward."

In last year’s contest, not only Pendlebury's disposal count was low, but his disposal efficiency was his second lowest of the season at 62.5 percent, well below his season average of 71.1. His eight contested possessions was just one off his season low and his kicking efficiency was 55.6 percent, again much below his season average of 63.6.

It illustrates the superb job the North midfield did on the night to nullify his influence. According to Ziebell, it’s an area that will again be crucial on Sunday.

“Everyone has to play their role these days and in the middle at stoppages, it’s pretty much three-on-three or four-on-four. We have to make sure each guy covers for one another when it’s required and applying what we’ve set out to do.”

One opponent who North didn’t have to face last season was Dane Swan. Serving a two-match club suspension at the time of 2012’s clash, Swan essentially replaces the unavailable Dale Thomas this Sunday.

Swan, along with Beams, makes up the best three midfielders available for the Magpies with Luke Ball also still working his way back to fitness.

Beams averaged almost two goals a game in the second half of the home and away season as he made his name as a midfielder who could also hurt sides going forward. It was never more evident than against North, where he collected 38 disposals (a career high), 2 goals and 2 Brownlow votes.

With an additional 26 disposals and 3 goals for Beams when the two sides met early in 2011, it’s clear North is a team he enjoys playing against. He also has a combined total of 13 clearances in his last two matches against the Kangaroos, many of which were directly from the tap of Darren Jolly in the ruck.

Ziebell describes Jolly as a ‘first-class ruckman’ and given the influence he has on Collingwood wins, it’s easy to see why.

In 2012, Jolly collected nine or more disposals on 12 occasions, with Collingwood winning 11 of those games. The total was under nine in eight games, with the Magpies only winning twice.

Jolly’s lowest disposal output for 2012? His four-possession, 24-hit out game against North Melbourne. Todd Goldstein had 18 disposals and 40 hit outs to win the head-to-head duel and send the Kangaroos a long way towards victory.

While Collingwood is undoubtedly a strong side from goal line to goal line, it’s equally clear its most important area is the midfield. If North can break even or come out on top in the clinches, it could emerge from Etihad Stadium on Sunday with its first Round 1 win since 2009.