WHERE AND WHEN: Bruce Purser Reserve, Saturday 3 March, 7pm
LAST TIME: Sydney Swans 10.12 (72) d North Melbourne 9.17 (71), round 10, 2011 at Etihad Stadium

THE FOUR POINTS

Sydney Swans

1. Firstly, how will the Swans actually perform in this game? Traditionally they don't take too much notice of the pre-season competition and have a woeful record over the past decade. But they are coming off an excellent NAB Cup match against St Kilda a week ago and have picked a strong side, indicating they may have a different approach this season.

2. Shane Mumford. The big man held down the rucking duties virtually singlehandedly last season and has been eased into 2012, keeping him out of the NAB Cup round one. The Swans are mindful of overworking one of their key assets, so it will be interesting to see how much game time he plays against the Kangaroos.

3. Which youngsters can continue to put their hands up for senior selection? The rookie-listed Harry Cunningham impressed against the Saints and Cats in round one and teammates such as Jed Lamb, Nathan Gordon and Campbell Heath will be hopeful of doing the same against the Kangaroos.

4. Can the Swans show further signs of improved returns in front of goal? After struggling to score in 2011, they kicked a NAB Cup best score of 0.9.5 (59) against St Kilda last week. With Mitch Morton, Tommy Walsh and Gary Rohan among those rotating through the forward line, the Swans are looking for the right mix ahead of round one of the season.

North Melbourne

1. How will the Kangaroos' ruck tandem of Todd Goldstein and Hamish McIntosh perform? Both had their moments in round one of the NAB Cup and it will be interesting to see how their partnership develops as they take on one of the AFL's best in Mumford.

2. Has coach Brad Scott tinkered things tactically since last time these sides met? In a grinding, lock down game at Etihad Stadium, the Swans somehow withstood a barrage of late North Melbourne pressure to steal a one-point win. Will Scott continue in that vein or try to open the game up?

3. Can mature-age rookie Sam Gibson continue his impressive pre-season? The 25-year-old captained the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL last season, winning their best and fairest, before getting another shot at AFL level with the Roos. Among their best players in round one, he will be hoping for more of the same in Sydney.

4. Will the Kangaroos show enough to suggest they are ready to improve in 2012? After consecutive years finishing ninth, the pressure is on and North Melbourne are taking a strong side to Sydney, including Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell, Brent Harvey and Goldstein. Their supporters will expect a competitive performance.