The make-up of North’s list had changed drastically since its win over the Cats at the venue in round five, 2007 – and more than any other squad in the competition in the last three years, Laidley said.
"People talk about the Hawthorn injuries and the Collingwood injuries.
"We're level with Collingwood this weekend with the most players used (this season) and we're level with the Blues with most debutants.
"It's been a bit of a revolving door for us but I think it’s a great opportunity for our young guys."
Laidley saw some intimidation in scrutinising how to topple the undefeated Cats on their home turf, but added his side had a lot of improvement to come with the focus still on education.
"If you start to look at how you can beat Geelong and they're No. 1 in this and they're No. 1 in that ... it can become a little bit daunting," he said. "So we'll throw the stats out the window this week.
"We plan and prepare and we train. I think it's $1.04 they're paying but it's still a two-horse race."
Asked whether he could take a similar view to Leigh Matthews that 'if it bleeds, we can kill it', the former Brisbane Lion coach's comments of Essendon in 2001, Laidley pointed to North's limitations.
"You can if you've got a very experienced side, but we haven't," he said.
"If you look at our forward line, take out (David) Hale and (Drew) Petrie, you've got four blokes who have played 30 games between them."
North will unveil second-round draft pick Sam Wright on Saturday but loses last week’s NAB AFL Rising Star nominee Jack Ziebell to thigh soreness.
Laidley said Ziebell had carried the injury into the game against Port Adelaide and would only miss one week.
"It's more precautionary than anything. It was still sore after training on Wednesday so under no circumstances will we risk him," he said.
"It's a little bit of a disappointment after being the rising star this week but his long-term future at our footy club is more important."
Wright will be North's fourth debutant to take the field in 2009, following Ziebell, Ben Warren and Levi Greenwood.
Despite a medial ligament strain in the pre-season and a knock to the same knee a few weeks ago, the 18-year-old wingman has found striking form with VFL affiliate Werribee.
"He's pretty skinny but he's class, so we'll throw him in against the best," Laidley said.
Deputy vice-captain Brady Rawlings is a 50-50 chance at best to return from a calf injury and defender Nathan Grima will make his debut if the midfielder fails to come up.
Rawlings trained at Arden Street on Friday afternoon.
