Essendon on the other hand has been under immense pressure after falling to its sixth loss in a row against West Coast.
With three teams fighting for one spot in the eight, this week looms as a huge match for the boys from Arden Street.
kangaroos.com.au looks at how the two teams match up for the clash at Etihad Stadium.
Games played: 144 - North Melbourne 50, Essendon 93, 1 draw
Coaches: Brad Scott (NM) 16 games, Matthew Knights (ESS) 61 games
Captains: Brent Harvey (NM) 295 games, Jobe Watson (ESS) 110 games
2010 debutants:
North Melbourne - Ryan Bastinac, Ben Cunnington, Nathan O'Keefe, Robbie Tarrant
Essendon - Travis Colyer, Jake Melsham, Tyson Slattery
Departures:
North Melbourne - Josh Gibson, Daniel Harris, Sam Power, Matt Riggio, Adam Simpson, Jesse Smith, Shannon Watt, Michael Wundke
Essendon - Matthew Lloyd, Andrew Lovett, Scott Lucas, Adam McPhee, Jay Nash, Hayden Skipworth
Avg. age (start of 2010): North Melbourne 22 years 195 days, Essendon 22 years 263 days
Avg. games (start of 2010): North Melbourne 43, Essendon 45
Most experienced player: Brent Harvey (NM) 295 games, Dustin Fletcher (ESS) 325 games
Tallest: Hamish McIntosh (NM) 203cm, Jason Laycock (ESS) 201cm, David Hille (ESS) 201cm, Tom Bellchambers (ESS) 201cm
Shortest: Matt Campbell (NM) 170cm, Travis Colyer (ESS) 173cm, Alwyn Davey (ESS) 173cm
2009 placing: North Melbourne 13th (7 wins, 14 losses, 1 draw), Essendon 8th (10 wins, 12 losses, 1 draw)
Leading goal scorer 2009: Drew Petrie (NM) 27, Matthew Lloyd (ESS) 35
Best and Fairest 2009: Andrew Swallow (NM), Jobe Watson (ESS)
The last five: Round 4, 2009 - North Melbourne 10.9.69 def Essendon 7.15.57
Round 1, 2008 - Essendon 19.8.122 def North Melbourne 9.13.67
Round 7, 2007 - North Melbourne 18.9.117 def Essendon 13.17.95
Round 13, 2006 - North Melbourne 14.12.96 def Essendon 13.11.89
Round 14, 2005 - North Melbourne 19.14.128 def Essendon 13.8.86
Last week: North Melbourne 15.13.103 def Richmond 7.11.53
Essendon 14.16.100 defeated by West Coast 20.12.132
Leading possession winners 2010: Brady Rawlings (NM) 430, Jobe Watson (ESS) 437
Leading goal scorers 2010: Lindsay Thomas (NM) 28, Alwyn Davey (ESS) 20
Dream Team specialists: Andrew Swallow (NM) 1498, Jobe Watson (ESS) 1521
