A relatively new addition to the AFL landscape, Blundstone Arena will host just its third AFL match on Saturday.

The length of the ground is similar to Patersons Stadium, clocking in at 175 metres (Patersons stands at 175.6).

Realising the length of the ground may not have been suited to run and carry, there was an evident tactical shift in the way North Melbourne used the ball in its two games last season.

In Round 2 against Greater Western Sydney, North had an incredible 294 handballs amongst 505 disposals, yet in Round 15 it had just 136 handballs in 316 disposals.

To take it a step further, excluding Round 15 last season, North averaged almost 370 disposals a game - 54 more than the 316 it had against West Coast.

While the quality of the surface won't be up for discussion, the hardness of it will be. Saturday's game will take place just a couple of weeks after from Tasmania's Sheffield Shield final victory.

In Round 15 the surface was softer than normal through the middle, which led to more secondary stoppages than in Round 2.

A game with more ball-ups would suit Sydney slightly more than the Kangaroos, with the experienced bodies of Jude Bolton, Jarrad McVeigh and company relishing the in and under work.

With 55 possessions and 5 goals in North's two home games last season, Brent Harvey will leave a big hole in the Kangaroos' attacking potency. However, Robbie Tarrant had a equal-career high four goals against West Coast so the ground seems to be one he enjoys.

Somewhat remarkably, the weather is set to be perfect for football for the third game in a row in Hobart, meaning it shouldn't have any effect on the flow of the game.

Taking everything into account, following North's most recent loss to Sydney at the SCG, Brad Scott said the following:

"Sydney adapted to the conditions much better than we did early. Once we adapted to the conditions we were much better, but the early lead we conceded proved insurmountable."

The Roos have come a long way since then and will be in a prime position to take the four points.