Season to date:
North Melbourne is 3-2 going into this clash and sit in sixth with three other sides also on 12 points – including the Swans.

Crucially, Dean Laidley’s men come off perhaps their best win of the season after they rode their luck last week in the final quarter to shock Collingwood by seven points.

A week earlier the hapless Dees were easily beaten by the Roos and it appears the side has picked up some good momentum after a 1-2 start to the season which included a disappointing opening round 55-point loss to the Bombers.

The Roos' scoring accuracy this season is 50.8 per cent and they have averaged almost 104 points per game.

Recent form:
Round 1 – Kangaroos 9.13 (67) lost to Essendon 19.8 (122)
Round 2 – Kangaroos 20.7 (127) d Richmond 13.8 (86)
Round 3 – Kangaroos 13.8 (86) lost to Hawthorn 15.12 (102)
Round 4 – Kangaroos 18.19 (127) d Melbourne 11.13 (79)
Round 5 – Kangaroos 16.16 (112) d Collingwood 15.15 (105)

Last time out:
Kangaroos 16.15 (111) d Sydney Swans 14.11 (95), round 6, 2007, at Telstra Dome.

The Roos held off a late challenge to record their third win in a row by 16 points to climb to tenth on the ladder after losing their first three of the season.

A seven-goal first quarter laid the platform for the win as did an inspirational Shannon Grant who booted four goals and racked up an impressive 32 disposals.

Swan spearhead Barry Hall’s three-goal final term brought hope and whittled the lead to within 12 points, but the Kangaroos hung on with Matty Campbell sealing the win in the shadows of the final siren.

The venue: Telstra Dome
Neither side has won at the Dome this season. The Swans’ opening round defeat to the Saints has been matched by two defeats for North on their home ground.

The coach: Dean Laidley
Now in his sixth season as North Melbourne coach, Laidley, 41, is considered a talented young coach, particularly after resurrecting the Kangaroos in 2007 to a preliminary final spot following a disastrous 2006 in which they finished 14th

Laidley’s win-loss record is locked on 59-59 with one draw. He is 3-3 against the Swans in their last six.

Strengths:
A tall side particular in the forward line, North also features some handy crumbers in their forward 50 with exciting talents such as Lindsay Thomas, Ed Lower, Matt Campbell, Jesse Smith and ruckman Hamish McIntosh coming through in the post Glenn Archer era.

The fact that this smaller club is largely under-rated can also be considered a strength.

Missing in action:
Out for the season are Leigh Adams and Nathan Grima, both with knee injuries, while Robbie Tarrant is expected to be missing for 12 weeks with a shoulder complaint. On the short-term list is Josh Gibson, who’s out for up to two weeks with a knee injury. Daniel Pratt will also miss the clash after he was suspended for one match.

The key:
The classy Shannon Grant is still a match-winner across the half-forward line, while crumbing forwards such as Matty Campbell and Lindsay Thomas were key to the Roos’ final quarter against Collingwood, kicking four goals between them.

And star midfielder Brent Harvey – with a match-winning 34 disposals against the Pies – is always dangerous. The experienced Shannon Grant and Corey Jones in the half-forward line will be a threat to the Swans defence, particularly if Jones can kick straighter than last week’s 0.5.

With the Roos on a two-game winning streak and scoring almost 240 points in the process, Laidley’s men will be high on confidence.

The young gun: Hamish McIntosh
The 203cm, 23-year-old ruckman is blossoming into a real talent. McIntosh won 19 hit-outs last week against Collingwood, but was disappointed with his overall performance and has vowed to return to his best against Jolly and Roberts-Thomson.

The questions:
How will the Swans back up after a loss last week? Can Adam Goodes fire up like we know he can? Will defender Tadhg Kennelly’s hammy be okay? Who’ll play in the Hall-less forward line if Nick Davis is also missing? And can Darren Jolly dominate the younger McIntosh in the ruck like he did last season in round six?

Did you know?
The Kangaroos’ highest ever score was against the Sydney Swans. The side defeated the Swans 35.19 (229) to 16.9 (105) in 1993.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.