A dissappointing loss to the Bulldogs leaves North Melbourne sitting in 12th place on the AFL table.
Fremantle are travelling better than anyone expected before the start of the season. The Dockers are in third position on the ladder and could move to the top if results fall their way.
kangaroos.com.au looks at how the two teams match up for their clash at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.
Head to head: Games played: 17 - North Melbourne 12, Fremantle 5
Coaches: Brad Scott (NM) 9 games, Mark Harvey (FREM) 60 games
Captains: Brent Harvey (NM) 288 games, Matthew Pavlich (FREM) 222 games
2010 debutants: North Melbourne - Ryan Bastinac, Ben Cunnington, Nathan O'Keefe
Fremantle - Michael Barlow, Nathan Fyfe, Anthony Morabito, Dylan Robertson
Departures: North Melbourne - Josh Gibson, Daniel Harris, Sam Power, Matt Riggio, Adam Simpson, Jesse Smith, Shannon Watt, Michael Wundke
Fremantle - Andrew Browne, Adam Campbell, Marcus Drum, Andrew Foster, Daniel Gilmore, Josh Head, Brett Peake
Avg. age (start of 2010): North Melbourne 22 years 195 days, Fremantle 23 years 53 days
Avg. games (start of 2010): North Melbourne 43, Fremantle 58
Most experienced player: Brent Harvey (NM) 288 games, Chris Tarrant (FREM) 228 games
Tallest: Hamish McIntosh (NM) 203cm, Aaron Sandilands (FREM) 211cm
Shortest: Matt Campbell (NM) 170cm, Hayden Ballantyne (FREM) 174cm
2009 placing: North Melbourne 13th (7 wins, 14 losses, 1 draw), Fremantle 14th (6 wins, 16 losses)
Leading goal scorer 2009: Drew Petrie (NM) 27, Matthew Pavlich (FREM) 28
Best and Fairest 2009: Andrew Swallow (NM), Aaron Sandilands (FREM)
The last five: Round 9, 2009 - North Melbourne 14.14.98 def Fremantle 12.13.85
Round 12, 2008 - Fremantle 18.12.120 def North Melbourne 9.13.67
Round 15, 2007 - North Melbourne 12.10.82 def Fremantle 11.12.78
Round 8, 2006 - Fremantle 13.6.84 def North Melbourne 6.13.49
Round 13, 2005 - North Melbourne 8.18.66 def Fremantle 6.8.44
Last week: North Melbourne 7.15.57 lost to Western Bulldogs 20.7.127
Fremantle 14.16.100 def Sydney 9.9.63
Leading possession winners 2010: Brady Rawlings (NM) 253, Michael Barlow (FREM) 249
Leading goal scorers 2010: David Hale (NM) 17, Matthew Pavlich (FREM) 32
Dream Team specialists: Andrew Swallow (NM) 893 points, Michael Barlow (FREM) 940 points
