FINDING a match-up for Richmond star Dustin Martin is easier said than done but North Melbourne defender Jamie Macmillan is confident his team has the personnel to hold him in check in Sunday's elimination final.

Martin shapes as a key playmaker for the Tigers against the Kangaroos, with the North coaching group putting plenty of time into stopping him.

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Macmillan, who found himself on Martin at certain stages during the round 23 clash between the sides, said he and his teammates would need to find a way to take the powerful dynamo out of his comfort zone.

"I found myself on Martin last week and he's a strong boy, that's for sure," Macmillan told AFL.com.au.

"I'll try not to get into too many wrestles with him.

"He's a strong player, and as soon as you engage him, he'll eat you alive."

Martin ranks No.1 in the AFL for winning one-on-one contests this year, having won 15 of 26. That puts him at 58 per cent – way above the League average of 28 per cent.

"You've got to try to avoid that body contact as much as possible," Macmillan said.

"If you play into his hands he'll probably win the battle."

Since 2012, Martin has won a League-leading 48 per cent of his contests according to Champion Data, which puts him ahead of Fremantle stars Aaron Sandilands and Nat Fyfe.

Macmillan, who has now played 78 games since making his debut in 2010, has again re-established himself in North's side after injuring his hamstring against Essendon in round 16.

The 23-year-old has played three games since recovering from the injury and played his best match of the season against the Tigers last Friday night.

He said finding the continuity in his football, after breaking his leg in April last year, had made him a more consistent footballer.

Macmillan was added to North's leadership group at the start of this season and is regarded as one of the most vocal players on the Kangaroos' list.

"The more games you play, the more you confident you get and the more belief you have in your own ability," Macmillan said.

"If you're in and out for two or three games here and there, you're never going to be able to perform at your best.

"I put together seven or eight games during the middle of the year and started to find my feet and identified that I was playing to my strengths."

Wins in one-on-one contests since 2012

Stats supplied by Champion Data