Melbourne has shown glimpses of promise during a trying season for the football club and its coach Mark Neeld summed the situation up well saying 'we simply don't have enough players that are physically ready to endure four quarters of AFL football week after week after week.'

However some players’ stocks have risen. After being substituted in Round 1, Sam Blease had to wait until Round 8 for a second shot at the big-time and he promptly responded with a career high 29 possessions against Sydney.

While he hasn't been able to find as much of the ball as he would have liked, Blease's pace is already at an elite level and he uses it well to burn past opposition defenders. Since his game against the Swans, Blease has found himself drifting further forward.

In 2011, Blease didn't kick a goal in his five outings. Compare that to this year’s eight goals in his last six matches. His tackling output has also increased from an average of one per game to more than two.

Alongside Blease is another elite runner in Rohan Bail. In his fourth season on the list, Bail has broken through to become a consistent fixture in the Melbourne 22. If it wasn't for a concussion suffered against Carlton in Round 9, Bail would have played almost every game this season - a far cry from his debut game against North Melbourne where he broke down in the warm-up.

Four of Bail's last five games have yielded more than 16 possessions. His ability to consistently play games is starting to reflect in his output and much like Blease, North must be wary of Bail's pace.

Down back is arguably where the Demons are at their strongest. 2010 All-Australian James Frawley is the general and he will most likely get the job on the in-form Drew Petrie. He also is a prime source of rebound 50's for Melbourne averaging more than four a game and comfortably leads the tally ahead of fellow key defender Tom McDonald.

North's three-pronged attack means McDonald will have to deal with either Lachlan Hansen or Robbie Tarrant. Despite McDonald's promise as a flourishing young key defender, Melbourne's injuries means he won't have the support of Jared Rivers who has been forced to play forward in recent weeks in the absence of Mitch Clark.

In the ruck, the 12-gamer in Jake Spencer will take on Todd Goldstein. Already with a string of good games against the Demons in the past, if Goldstein can direct his hitouts to advantage North will be on its way to a sixth win in seven games.