NORTH Melbourne midfielder Brady Rawlings says his side is guarding against a big performance from Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes in the aftermath of criticism levelled against the dual Brownlow Medallist.

Goodes’ recent output has come under the spotlight following a sub-par performance against Geelong last week, with even Swans coach Paul Roos raising his star’s form as a “massive concern”.

But Rawlings, who has never played on the champion ball winner, expects the Swans’ dynamo to hit back hard when he fronts up to tackle the Kangaroos at Telstra Dome on Sunday.

“He’s an absolute gun,” Rawlings said.

“He’s been under a bit of scrutiny and you know what good players do when they’re under scrutiny, they always back it up.

“He’s played well against us in the past and we’ll have to be very wary of him.”

This week’s crucial round six clash is just the start of a big fortnight for the Kangaroos.

After the Swans, they travel to AAMI Stadium to take on the Adelaide Crows and Rawlings knows that, although it is still early, these next two weeks could well shape his team’s 2008 fortunes.

“[Sydney and Adelaide are] two teams that have had great records over the last couple of years and are sides that we’ve had really good games against over the last few years as well,” he said.

“Sydney this week, you’re always going to have a tough game against them with their style and they really drag you into the trenches.

“It’s going to be a very contested game this week I would have thought and, hopefully, we’re up to it.”

After wins over Melbourne and Collingwood Dean Laidley’s side is ticking along nicely but, like recent years, the football world is paying the men from Arden Street little attention.

“Yeah, we’re pretty used to that now,” Rawlings said.

“We just go about our business, don’t get the hype that other clubs get and even though we’re 3-2, we sort of haven’t been looked upon as a real contender even though we ended up third last year. It is nothing different for us.”