kangaroos.com.au looks at how the two teams match up for their clash at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Head to head: Games played: 149 - North Melbourne 65, Melbourne 83, 1 draw
Coaches: Brad Scott (NM) 5 games, Dean Bailey (MELB) 49 games
Captains: Brent Harvey (NM) 284 games, James McDonald (MELB) 240 games
2010 debutants: Ryan Bastinac (NM) Round 1, Ben Cunnington (NM) Round 5
Jack Trengove (MELB) Round 1, Tom Scully (MELB) Round 1, James Strauss (MELB) Round 1
Departures: North Melbourne - Josh Gibson, Daniel Harris, Sam Power, Matt Riggio, Adam Simpson, Jesse Smith, Shannon Watt, Michael Wundke
Melbourne - Simon Buckley, Brock McLean, John Meesen, Michael Newton, Russell Robertson, Paul Wheatley, Matthew Whelan
Avg. age (start of 2010): North Melbourne 22 years 195 days, Melbourne 22 years 187 days
Avg. games (start of 2010): North Melbourne 43, Melbourne 44
Most experienced player: Brent Harvey (NM) 284 games, James McDonald (MELB) 249 games
Tallest: Hamish McIntosh (NM) 203cm, Max Gawn (MELB) 206cm
Shortest: Matt Campbell (NM) 170cm, Ron Wenzler (MELB) 172cm
2009 placing: North Melbourne 13th (7 wins, 14 losses, 1 draw), Melbourne 16th (4 wins, 18 losses)
Leading goal scorer 2009: Drew Petrie (NM) 27, Russell Robertson (MELB) 29
Best and Fairest 2009: Andrew Swallow (NM), Aaron Davey (MELB)
The last five: Round 19, 2009 - North Melbourne 19.9.123 defeated Melbourne 8.13.61
Round 1, 2009 - North Melbourne 15.11.101 defeated Melbourne 10.7.67
Round 17, 2008 - North Melbourne 14.14.98 defeated Melbourne 10.10.70
Round 4, 2008 - North Melbourne 18.19.127 defeated Melbourne 11.13.79
Round 16, 2007 - North Melbourne 19.12.126 defeated Melbourne 9.8.62
Last week: North Melbourne 12.10.82 defeated Hawthorn 10.10.70
Melbourne 15.13.103 defeated Melbourne 7.11.53
Leading possession winners 2010: Brady Rawlings (NM) 132, Brent Moloney (MELB) 137
Leading goal scorers 2010: David Hale (NM) 12, Brad Green (MELB) 11
Dream Team specialists: Brent Harvey (NM) 478 points, James McDonald (MELB) 525 points