NORTH Melbourne and Collingwood are set to renew an interesting rivalry on Sunday at North Hobart Oval.

The two sides have broken each other's hearts in nailbiting finals in 2020 and 2021, with Collingwood the most recent victor.

Last year's decider saw the Pies kick three goals to nothing in the last quarter to overrun the Roos, having been down by 14 points at the final break.

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There is significant overlap between the two teams, with the Roos infamously landing Jasmine Garner, Jess Duffin, Emma King and Moana Hope as part of their first list build.

All but Hope are still integral players for North Melbourne, with Garner having developed into a genuine match-winning player.

Coach Scott Gowans went the other way, taking up a senior assistant role at the Pies after losing his job at North amid the cost-cutting of 2020. In recent weeks, he has departed, taking up the new senior role at Sydney.

What's changed since last April?

North Melbourne has reshaped its defence, letting go of Kate Gillespie-Jones (delisted), Vivien Saad (Gold Coast), Beth Lynch (Richmond) and sending Tahlia Randall into attack.

In their place have come Brooke Brown – who played primarily as a forward in her two matches last year – Jasmine Ferguson and Amy Smith off half-back/on the wing.

The addition of Kim Rennie to the ruck has seen Emma King spend more time up forward, and while she is yet to kick a goal, her presence has benefited smalls like Daria Bannister and Daisy Bateman.

Mia King and Alice O'Loughlin are also in the side after missing last year's final, with Grace Campbell out of favour. Danielle Hardiman and Kaitlyn Ashmore have recently been sidelined with injuries.

What about Collingwood?

Remarkably, the Pies have made similar changes.

They also have a new ruck, with Al Downie taking the reins in place of the retired Sharni Norder, while key defender Ash Brazill (netball commitments) is sitting the season out. 

Jordyn Allen and Lauren Butler have overcome injuries and re-joined the backline after missing last year's final, and the forward line has a new focal point in either Sabrina Frederick or Imogen Barnett (selection dependent). 

The big hole in Collingwood's midfield is co-captain Brianna Davey, sidelined with a torn ACL.

It's an absence the Pies have struggled to overcome, though not that many sides would be able to replace an AFLW best and fairest winner.

Draftees El Chaston and Eliza James have also been added to the side, playing primarily up forward, while Maddie Shevlin (Richmond) and Kristy Stratton (delisted) have left the club.

A perception reversal?

Coming into the season, Collingwood was among the flag favourites, having lost its preliminary final against Brisbane by less than a goal.

There was no doubting the quality of North Melbourne's midfield, but there were question marks over the forward line and ability to knock off the top echelon of teams.

Six weeks into the season, and things have shifted slightly.

Collingwood lost successive games to Fremantle and Brisbane, kicking just two goals across those two matches, but has since rebounded with a comfortable win over West Coast.

Recruit Frederick hasn't hit her stride – although supply has been limited at times – and since Davey's injury, Chloe Molloy has been needed in both the midfield and up forward at the same time.

North Melbourne finally claimed that big scalp, seeing off Fremantle at North Hobart Oval – the site of Sunday's match between the two teams – but was well beaten by Adelaide early in the season. 

Its revamped, taller forward line has worked at times, but cleaner execution both going inside 50 and in front of goal is still needed.

A top-six decider?

With four rounds remaining, it's probably a week or two early to make the call on the loser of the match, but there's no doubt about the significance of the four points on offer.

After Brisbane's roaring win over Gold Coast on Thursday night, the Roos are in fifth spot, one win and an incredible 42.6 per cent ahead of the Pies in sixth.

Only percentage separates second to fifth.

Win and the Pies are back up with the top sides. Lose, and they're vulnerable to dropping out of the six.

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