This week’s match is a must-win one for North Melbourne and its opponent Sydney. Sitting 8th and 9th on the ladder respectively and separated by percentage only, both sides are striving to book a spot in the finals.

A loss will make the task tough and almost out of reach.

Both sides are coming off disappointing defeats and will be hoping to bounce back on Sunday at the SCG.

North captain Brent Harvey will need to use his pace to get free on the smaller ground while Adam Goodes will be out to recapture the form that saw him win two Brownlow Medals.

kangaroos.com.au looks at how the two teams match up for their clash at Etihad Stadium.

Head to head

Games played: 148 - North Melbourne 71, Sydney 76, 1 draw

Coaches: Brad Scott (NM) 14 games, Paul Roos (SYD) 192 games
Captains: Brent Harvey (NM) 293 games, Brett Kirk (SYD) 231 games

2010 debutants:
North Melbourne - Ryan Bastinac, Ben Cunnington, Nathan O'Keefe
Sydney - Campbell Heath, Lewis Jetta, Gary Rohan

Departures:
North Melbourne - Josh Gibson, Daniel Harris, Sam Power, Matt Riggio, Adam Simpson, Jesse Smith, Shannon Watt, Michael Wundke

Sydney - Luke Ablett, Leo Barry, Ryan Brabazon, Amon Buchanan, Jared Crouch, Nic Fosdike, Barry Hall, Darren Jolly, Mathew Laidlaw, Daniel O'Keefe, Michael O'Loughlin, Tim Schmidt

Avg. age (start of 2010): North Melbourne 22 years 195 days, Sydney 23 years 268 days
Avg. games (start of 2010): North Melbourne 43, Sydney 62
Most experienced player: Brent Harvey (NM) 293 games, Adam Goodes (SYD) 266 games
Tallest: Hamish McIntosh (NM) 203cm, Mark Seaby/Shane Mumford/Daniel Currie (SYD) 200cm
Shortest: Matt Campbell (NM) 170cm, Ben Mc Glynn (SYD) 174cm

2009 placing: North Melbourne 13th (7 wins, 14 losses, 1 draw), Sydney 12th (8 wins, 14 losses,)
Leading goal scorer 2009: Drew Petrie (NM) 27, Adam Goodes (SYD) 38
Best and Fairest 2009: Andrew Swallow (NM), Ryan O'Keefe (SYD)

The last five:
Round 04, 2010 - Sydney 14.16.100 def North Melbourne 8.12.60
Round 14, 2009 - Sydney 15.10.100 def North Melbourne 13.7.85
Elimination Final, 2008 - Sydney 17.8.110 def North Melbourne 11.9.75
Round 06, 2008 - Sydney 9.10.64 drew with Sydney 8.16.64
Round 06, 2007 - North Melbourne 16.15.111 def Sydney 14.11.95

Last week:
North Melbourne 9.9.63 lost to Geelong 14.14.98
Sydney 12.13.85 lost to Richmond 14.5.89

Leading possession winners 2010: Brady Rawlings (NM) 382, Jude Bolton (SYD) 324
Leading goal scorers 2010: Lindsay Thomas (NM) 27, Adam Goodes (SYD) 26
Dream Team specialists: Andrew Swallow (NM) 1314 points, Ryan O'Keefe (SYD) 1329 points