Saturday is the second meeting between North Melbourne and Gold Coast and the first at Etihad Stadium. Last season, North defeated the Suns by 59-points.

1. Form

North Melbourne

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
Round 2: Defeated GWS by 129-points; 28.15.183 to 8.6.54
Season: 2-2, 9th, 128.05%

After a breakthrough win against Geelong, North took a step back with a loss to Sydney. A win against Gold Coast would set the Roos up for a trip west to play the Eagles.

Gold Coast

Round 4: Lost to Brisbane by 65-points; 6.10.46 to 17.9.111
Round 3: Lost to Essendon by 17-points; 13.10.88 to 15.15.105
Round 2: Lost to St Kilda by 92-points; 7.5.47 to 21.13.139
Season: 0-4, 17th, 50.61%

Heavily criticised after two big losses to start the season, the Suns rebounded by almost causing a huge upset against Essendon at Metricon Stadium. In the Q-Clash last weekend, injuries caught up with a weary squad in the second half as Jonathan Brown led the Lions in a convincing win.

2. Missing in Action

Gold Coast

Gold Coast is experiencing a midfield crisis. Already without Gary Ablett, the Suns could also be missing David Swallow and Michael Rischitelli. Swallow injured his hip in last weekend's game against Brisbane, while Rischitelli was helped from the field at training on Wednesday after turning his ankle.

Without the midfield trio, increased responsibility will fall on Karmichael Hunt, Josh Caddy and Dion Prestia to gain first use of the ball.

Jarrod Harbrow is also out for an extended period with an elbow injury.

North Melbourne

The Roos have an empty medical room with no injuries after four rounds.

3. Dream Team Watch

North Melbourne

Liam Anthony is currently leading all North players in Dream Team, averaging triple figures throughout the first month of the season.

Round 4 Dream Team Wrap

Gold Coast

Aaron Hall

The rookie has improved his scoring output significantly in the last two rounds. 66 against Essendon and 75 versus Brisbane has seen his price increase by more than $65,000. Another significant increase will come after this weekend's match, meaning there's still time to trade him in for an immediate profit.

4. Experienced Campaigners

North Melbourne

Aaron Edwards

In the inaugural meeting between North Melbourne and Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium last season, Edwards kicked five goals and the Suns had no answer for him. Unusually quiet against Sydney last week, Edwards will be looking to bounce back against a team he has a good prior record against.

Gold Coast

Josh Fraser

Despite being past the peak of his career, Fraser is extremely valuable to the Suns helping Zac Smith out in the ruck. Facing both Todd Goldstein and Hamish McIntosh, Gold Coast needs Fraser to turn back the clock yet again.

5. Under the Radar

North Melbourne

Lindsay Thomas

While all the focus has been on Thomas' tribunal case, his impressive play against Sydney went largely unnoticed. Playing further up the field due to the smaller confines of the SCG, the number 12's kicking was excellent on his way to 18 disposals, seven marks and four tackles.

Thomas was also impressive in last year's clash against Gold Coast, contributing to four out of the 18 goals on the night.

Gold Coast

Trent McKenzie

McKenzie took the AFL by storm in his debut season. The ability to break lines with his kicking had him as a fan favourite across the competition. However, McKenzie's preparation for his second season was interrupted by injury and as a result he was eased back into action as a substitute in Rounds 2 and 3.

14 disposals and one goal in his first full game showed he is just about back to his best. Under the roof at Etihad, he will relish the chance to unload a few long bombs into the forward line or at goal.

6. The Mentality

This weekend, North becomes the second side to play both the GWS Giants and Gold Coast. Adelaide, played GWS last weekend after opening its season against the Gold Coast.

With external expectations on the Crows to convincingly beat GWS after demolishing Gold Coast, the Crows turned in a performance senior coach Brenton Sanderson described 'unacceptable', and questioned his side's desire. The insinuation was clear; Adelaide had failed to prepare mentally for a game it was expected to win comfortably.

North could find itself in the same position if it doesn't respect the opposition enough. Despite missing a host of star players, Gold Coast can still call upon the likes of Jared Brennan, Nathan Bock and Campbell Brown; all players that can hurt the opposition if given a chance.

Facing a daunting trip to Patersons Stadium to face West Coast in Round 6, a loss to the Suns or poor showing could have far reaching ramifications for North.