Coming off its first win of the season, North Melbourne goes to the MCG for the first time in 2013 to face Hawthorn.

One of the premiership favourites, the Hawks have won their last three to be sitting in fourth position.

Teams

North Melbourne

B: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
HB: Aaron Mullett, Nathan Grima, Jamie Macmillan
C: Daniel Wells, Shaun Atley, Sam Wright
HF: Ryan Bastinac, Ben Cunnington, Taylor Hine
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Leigh Adams
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
Int: Liam Anthony, Lachlan Hansen, Majak Daw, Sam Gibson
Emer: Brad McKenzie, Will Sierakowski, Aaron Black

Unchanged.

Hawthorn

B: Josh Gibson, Brian Lake, Luke Hodge
HB: Grant Birchall, Ben Stratton, Shaun Burgoyne
C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Bradley Hill
HF: Luke Breust, Lance Franklin, Paul Puopolo
F: Liam Shiels, Jarryd Roughead, David Hale
Fol: Max Bailey, Jordan Lewis, Cyril Rioli
Int: Brent Guerra, Jack Gunston, Shane Savage, Michael Osborne

In: Brian Lake, Brent Guerra
Out: Taylor Duryea, Ryan Schoenmakers

Key player

North Melbourne

Taylor Hine

In just his second game for North Melbourne, Hine played a superb run-with role on Brisbane star Daniel Rich.

Rich had just 15 touches and was ineffective; a huge win for North considering Rich's potential to break a game open.

There are plenty of options in the Hawthorn side for Hine to match up on at the MCG. A similar performance in his third game for the club will give North a big advantage in the midfield battle.

Grant Birchall

At his weekly media conference, Brad Scott was highly complimentary of the Hawthorn defender saying, "Birchall has to be a big focus for us. He's a super player and critical to how they play.

"You can't pick the All-Australian squad after Round 4, but he'd be odds on for a position at half-back."

In last season's meeting, he had 28 disposals - the second highest on the ground.

Missing in action

North Melbourne

Robbie Tarrant

Tarrant was ruled unavailable for selection as he didn't get through Thursday's training session.

It will be the second week he misses with a leg injury.

Hawthorn

Ryan Schoenmakers

The left-footed key defender suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in Hawthorn's win over Fremantle, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

In his absence, Brian Lake will make his Hawthorn debut.

Young guns

North Melbourne

Majak Daw

Daw has recovered well enough from a concussion to be selected for his second senior game, his first at the MCG.

Alongside Petrie and Lachlan Hansen, the trio will be North's key forward targets. Against a possibly underdone Lake, former Roo Josh Gibson and recently re-signed Ben Stratton, the matchups will be a highlight of the evening.

Hawthorn

Bradley Hill

Brother of Fremantle star Stephen, the Hawthorn midfielder has a habit of starting off games on fire. Almost half of his total disposals this season have come in the first quarter of games.

As he matures, the second-year player will undoubtedly extend the influence over four quarters. However, North must be especially aware of what he provides early on Sunday.

Under the radar

North Melbourne

Jamie Macmillan

Macmillan has now played 28 consecutive games for North rotating through half-back and on the wing. After a quiet first fortnight he has upped his game against Sydney and Brisbane, averaging 21.5 possessions and a goal.

Although he is just 21-years-old, Macmillan provides a sure head and is a reliable disposer of the football.

Hawthorn

Luke Breust

Surprisingly, the man who kicked 45 goals in 2012 and currently sits ahead of Jarryd Roughead and Cyril Rioli in 2013, receives fewer accolades than he probably deserves.

Able to play both as a small and a marking lead-up forward, Breust is a nightmare matchup for opposition defenders. He kicked three against North last season and is yet to go goal-less in a game this year.

Where it will be won

Ball use out of the midfield will be critical at the MCG, just as it was in last year's meeting.

In the second half of the clash at Aurora Stadium, North and Hawthorn were actually tied in total clearances at 22. However the discrepancy in efficiency was profound - Hawthorn kicked at 72.5 percent efficiency while North went at just 52.

In recent weeks North has improved its ball use after the Round 1 loss to Collingwood, leading the entire competition for Round 4. Much of the same will be needed to defeat one of the premiership favourites.