Sunday's trip to Patersons Stadium is one of North Melbourne's biggest games of the season. Coming up against an undefeated, top-of-the-table West Coast side that has only lost three quarters all season, North will have to be on the top of its game to cause an upset.

1. Form

North Melbourne

Round 5: Defeated Gold Coast by 34 points; 17.25.127 to 13.15.93
Round 4: Lost to Sydney by 36 points; 10.17.77 to 17.11.113
Round 3: Defeated Geelong by 17 points; 20.11.131 to 16.18.114
Season: 3-2, 7th, 129.71%

An uninspiring first half against Gold Coast gave way to a six goal third quarter that saw an amazing 15 shots on goal. Theoretically, North's handballing mindset should prosper on the wide expanses in Perth.

West Coast

Round 5: Defeated Richmond by 10 points; 16.11.107 to 14.13.97
Round 4: Defeated Hawthorn by 5 points; 5.21.51 to 5.16.46
Round 3: Defeated GWS by 81 points; 23.12.150 to 10.9.69
Season: 5-0, 1st, 170.87%

Two close wins in the last fortnight has cemented West Coast at the top of the AFL ladder. Its win against a surging Tigers outfit was almost its most impressive of the season so far.

2. Last time they met

Round 1, 2011, Patersons Stadium

North Melbourne 4.3.27, 6.5.41, 10.8.68, 13.10.88
West Coast 3.7.25, 6.10.46, 9.12.66, 13.14.92

The season opener last season was predicted to be a clash between two closely matched sides, but very few people anticipated the Eagles would go on to have a breakout season. The game swung back and forth all day and in the end, North fell just short of a win which could have provided a huge kick-start to its season.

3. Recent History

North Melbourne has split its last four meetings with West Coast. Three of those clashes have taken place in Perth. With West Coast scoring an average of more than 98-points a game over three encounters, it appears the North defence will have to be on the top of its game.

4. Dream Team Watch

North Melbourne

Hamish McIntosh is averaging more than 100-points a game in the last month, making him one of the best ruckmen in the game.

Dream Team Wrap: Round 5

West Coast

Scott Selwood

Selwood has been one of the surprise Dream Team performers in the competition so far this season. He is almost 100-points clear of the second highest scorer for the Eagles and his average of 112.6 is ranked eighth amongst all midfielders.

5. Round 5 stars

North Melbourne

Shaun Atley

Matched up against the dangerous Harley Bennell, Atley minimised his influence after a storming start. With the defensive side to his game improving at a rapid rate, Atley is on his way to becoming a two-way threat. He will be needed to quell the likes of Ashton Hams and Josh Hill.

West Coast

Andrew Gaff

The fourth pick of the 2010 National Draft was eased into senior football in his first season and in many of his 17 games he was the substitute. However, in 2012 he has increased his average disposals by almost 10 per game. His improvement was never more evident than against the Tigers on Sunday, as his hard running and smooth ball use played a big part in West Coast escaping with the win.

6. Key matchup

Andrew Swallow v Matthew Priddis

While the two may not spend a significant amount of time on each other, it’s their work winning the contested ball that will play a big part in how their respective teams will fare.

In his last three matches against North, Priddis has averaged more than 30 disposals, many of which result in West Coast clearances. Swallow also enjoys playing back in his home state, averaging 27 touches in his last four games there.

The last meeting between the sides saw West Coast win the clearance battle by eight and the tackles by six despite having more of the ball. Those stats will need to be reversed on Sunday for North to claim victory.

7. Where it could be won

As is the case in most matches involving the Eagles, how the talls on each side fare will go a long way towards determining the result.

Scouting Report: Tall Timber

However, the running power of both midfields will come into play as the game enters its latter stages. Patersons is the biggest ground in the AFL and therefore tests the stamina like no other.

West Coast's talls tend to dominate discussion, but if the likes of Priddis, Gaff, Selwood, Daniel Kerr and Luke Shuey are ignored, they will rip the game apart.

North's improving midfield has a number of players who can be rotated and it will need everyone firing if it is to hand West Coast its first defeat of the season.

The weather may also be a significant factor with some rain forecast.