Both teams are returning from interstate trips; North at Blundstone Arena in Hobart and the Bulldogs from Patersons Stadium in Perth.
Teams
North Melbourne
B: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Jamie Macmillan
HB: Aaron Mullett, Michael Firrito, Brent Harvey
C: Daniel Wells, Shaun Atley, Ryan Bastinac
HF: Aaron Black, Majak Daw, Sam Wright
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Leigh Adams
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
Int: Ben Cunnington, Sam Gibson, Taylor Hine, Will Sierakowski
Emer: Brad McKenzie, Lachlan Hansen, Kieran Harper
In: Brent Harvey
Out: Nathan Grima (general soreness)
Western Bulldogs
B: Dale Morris, Jordan Roughead, Lukas Markovic
HB: Liam Picken, Tom Young, Jason Johannisen
C: Tom Liberatore, Matthew Boyd, Nick Lower
HF: Clay Smith, Liam Jones, Daniel Giansiracusa
F: Luke Dahlhaus, Robert Murphy, Dylan Addison
Fol: Will Minson, Adam Cooney, Ryan Griffen
Int: Jason Tutt, Mitch Wallis, Mark Austin, Daniel Cross
Emer: Koby Stevens, Christian Howard, Tom Campbell
In: Daniel Giansiracusa, Lukas Markovic, Ryan Griffen, Robert Murphy
Out: Koby Stevens (omitted), Jake Stringer (soreness), Jack Macrae (soreness), Christian Howard (omitted)
Milestones
Michael Firrito and Scott Thompson will reach milestones on Saturday with Firrito playing his 200th game and Thompson his 100th.
Firrito becomes the 25th North player to reach 200. His three previous player milestones (50, 100, 150) have resulted in two wins and one loss, with the win in his 50th game coming against the Bulldogs.
For Thompson, he'll hope his 100th is similar to his 50th. On that evening, North defeated Melbourne and Thompson collected a then career high 30 disposals.
The most recent time a North player had a milestone game against the Bulldogs was in Round 17, 2011 when Andrew Swallow played his 100th game. It meant North snapped a four game losing streak against the Dogs.
Returning stars
North Melbourne
The Kangaroos welcome back Brent Harvey for his first game of 2013. His much talked about six game suspension has now been served, and he is free to continue his path to 350 career games and beyond.
Where he will fit into the side is yet to be seen. In 2012, Harvey spent more time forward than in previous years kicking 35 goals to almost set a career high. However so far this year the delivery to the forward 50 hasn't been up to the standard Brad Scott would like. It may mean the club champion spends more time as an outside midfielder.
Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs will welcome not one, but three key senior players back. Ryan Griffen, Robert Murphy and Daniel Giansiracusa all missed the trip to Perth with various ailments but will return to face the Roos.
In the Bulldogs' win against North last season, Griffen collected the three Brownlow votes for 31 disposals, Murphy had 21 disposals and a crucial goal while Giansiracusa kicked three goals.
Key matchup
Drew Petrie v Jordan Roughead
Over the past few years, a highlight of meetings between the two clubs has been Petrie facing off against Brian Lake. While Lake frequently collected large disposal numbers, Petrie had his share of good afternoons on the scoreboard as well.
Now with Lake playing for Hawthorn, a new opponent will stand next to the North Melbourne co vice-captain on Saturday. After a start to Roughead's career which saw him in a variety of positions, he seems to have settled down back and will most likely be the defender who goes to Petrie. If Roughead fails, Dale Morris might get the assignment.
Petrie has 13 goals in his last three games against the Bulldogs and was awarded two Brownlow votes in the most recent match between the two clubs.
Defensive structure
The majority of the Bulldogs' goals come from their smaller players, with only Liam Jones applying any scoreboard pressure this season of the key position forwards.
It could mean Nathan Grima's general soreness is actually a blessing in disguise, as it allows Brad Scott and the match committee greater flexibility in matching up on the likes of Luke Dalhaus, Giansiracusa and company.
Scott Thompson will most likely head to Jones, with Firrito, Scott McMahon and the remaining defenders tasked with cleaning up once the ball hits the ground.
