Come 7:45pm on Saturday night, it’ll be 202 days since North Melbourne's last home and away match. An expected crowd of more than 40,000 will turn out for North Melbourne versus Essendon, and kangaroos.com.au has all the key discussion points covered.

1. Pre-Season Form

North Melbourne
NAB Cup: 3 wins (Richmond, Western Bulldogs, Carlton), 2 losses (Hawthorn, Sydney).

After an indifferent start to its pre-season, North Melbourne impressed in the final two weeks of the NAB Cup. Convincing wins over the Western Bulldogs and Carlton built confidence among the playing group and has its confidence high heading into the season opener.

Essendon
NAB Cup: 2 wins (Sydney, Brisbane), 2 losses (West Coast, Fremantle).

Essendon started the NAB Cup with two losses after shortened games against West Coast and Fremantle. It gave the side a combined losing margin of 57 points. After missing the match against St Kilda in Wangaratta, Essendon hit back with two impressive wins against an in form Sydney and Brisbane but the players have had less of a run than most sides.

2. Last time they met

Round 13, 2011
Essendon 1.8 (14), 6.13 (49), 10.17 (77), 12.18 (90)
North Melbourne 5.3 (33), 9.3 (57), 13.6 (84), 17.9 (111)

In a big game for the Kangaroos, they jumped Essendon early in the first quarter. The Bombers, plagued by inaccuracy, fought their way back and took the lead in the final term. However, behind Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie and Cam Pedersen goals, North pulled away for one of the best wins of the season.

3. Recent History

While North Melbourne has won eight out of the last ten encounters against Essendon, in recent times the ledger has been considerably more balanced. Tied at two a piece since 2008 - with an average winning margin of just 12 points in the last three games - everything points to yet another close, high scoring game.

4. Missing in Action

North Melbourne

Jack Ziebell

Still with two games to serve on his suspension from Round 23 last season, the absence of Ziebell will be a big blow for North Melbourne. His ability to win his own ball inside would have been crucial against an Essendon midfield containing the likes of Watson and Hocking.

Essendon

Travis Colyer

Set for selection on Saturday, Travis Colyer broke his thumb in a training accident on Wednesday and could miss up to six weeks.

5. Under the Radar

North Melbourne

Aaron Mullett

The recently elevated half-back flanker will have a big role to play on Saturday night. Given he's played just the three AFL games, Essendon could be excused for not paying full attention to him. However, considering Brady Rawlings earned the three Brownlow votes in the corresponding match last season playing in the same position, Mullett could have a big impact.

Essendon

Courtenay Dempsey

The rebounding defender is making his comeback to the Essendon side after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Round 4 last year. Renowned for his speed and dash out of the defensive 50, Dempsey has the ability to terrorise the opposition if given time and space.

6. Key Players

North Melbourne

Andrew Swallow

There's no easing into his life as captain - Andrew Swallow will be greeted at the other side of the centre by one of the best inside midfielders in Jobe Watson. If one captain can gain an edge over the other, their respective team may very well find itself on the winning side of the equation come the final siren.

Essendon

Michael Hurley

After a spectacular pre-season and a new five-year contract, Hurley will be the focal point of Essendon's forward line. A threat both on the lead and in the contest, the defender playing on the key forward will have his hands full.

Read more about how Hurley could be stopped here.

7. Where it could be won

The team that shows the most amount of composure with the ball, especially in a season opener, often walks away victorious. With an added focus on skills over summer, North Melbourne will be looking to use the ball more effectively and efficiently against the Bombers. Hitting targets and limiting turnovers will be crucial.

8. Round one form

Without fail, matches over the first weekend of the season see fade outs and comebacks as teams struggle to run out the full four quarters. North Melbourne and Essendon couldn't have had more contrasting openings to the season in 2011.

North Melbourne, without an available ruckman, travelled to Perth to play West Coast. While they just fell short of an unlikely victory after late West Coast goals, Essendon was a completely different story.

In its first match under James Hird, Essendon thumped the Bulldogs by 55 points and showed it can start the season off on the right track.

Under Brad Scott, North Melbourne is yet to win a Round 1 match from two attempts, indicating a tendency to ease into the season. Nevertheless, this year is a new year and with increased expectations, the focus will be on flying out of the gate.

Away from the talk about matchups, key players and previous history, sometimes it's as simple as preparing well mentally. With external factors like the media and fans at their highest peak right before the season, the team that has readied itself best could gain the crucial little edge.

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