Daniel Wells could provide the x-factor North Melbourne needs to compete in September, team-mate Scott Thompson says.

The dynamic midfielder has played just seven games this season after sustaining a foot injury in Round 5, but after another improved performance looks ready to fire on Saturday night.

"You could see against Melbourne, his (Wells) pace and his ability just to get out of trouble is amazing," Thompson told RSN Racing & Sport on Tuesday.

"We’re such a better team when he’s up and going, so it’s great that he could come back just before finals, get a bit of fitness in and now he should be fully going."

While Wells is still to get back to his best form, Andrew Swallow has been at the peak of his powers in recent weeks.

With double-figure clearance tallies in the last three games, the North skipper is showing no signs of a long term achilles injury.

"He’s taken his time to get back to his best but the last few weeks, getting that momentum through the stoppages and breaking the lines is what he does best. It’s great to see him back to his best."

Thompson is confident North has the ability to match it with any team, on any given day.

"I guess this season we’ve been up and down but we’ve had some good results against the teams playing finals. It gives us a little bit of confidence knowing we can match it against them," he added.

First up it's the Bombers, a side that comprehensively outplayed the Kangaroos in Round 1.

"I know we’ve changed a lot since then and they obviously got us pretty easily in round one. Our game's changed a little bit and hopefully we can match it against them on Saturday night."

While the absence of Jake Carlisle will make the job for the defenders a little easier, Essendon's versatility makes for a tough battle.

"We got a good look last week if Carlisle doesn’t play, with (Patrick) Ryder having time down there (forward line), Daniher played pretty well last week and Bellchambers was also having a spell down there from the ruck.

"I’d assume those three will be having a fair time in the forward line.

"I think our back-line has really improved this year. It’s shown on the stats so far that we’ve kept opposition scores to a lower score. That’s been the main aim this year, and it’s going well so far so hopefully it can hold up in finals as well."