Open training – Thursday at Arden Street, 11.30am-12.30pm approx. Autographs, sausage sizzle and merchandise available.

Four goals to Joe Daniher, followed by five to Tom Hawkins; some may see the opposition power-forwards’ ability to impact games as a worrying pattern.

But against a multi-pronged Swans’ attack featuring Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett and Sam Reid, assistant coach Josh Drummond knows too much individual focus could prove North’s downfall.

"Guys have gotten off the leash at certain times in the last couple of weeks," Drummond admitted.

"But the forward-lines that are really difficult to defend are the ones that have multiple options. If one guy kicks a bag of goals but no-one else kicks any, the main stat I’m looking at is total opposition goals. That’s the most important thing," he told NMFC.com.au. 

"Obviously we don’t want someone getting on top of us, but most important is there’s going to be six versus six down there and hopefully we can win a lot more of those one-on-one contests."

When the teams last met, Tippett, Reid and Adam Goodes were all missing from the Sydney team. Their inclusions adds a new dimension to an already dangerous front six.

"It is a completely different forward-line. When you are changing your structure up in terms of bringing in some keys it changes the mix, and they’re pretty good players as well.

"We are a different side as well in terms of guys who will potentially play that didn’t play that game."

Nevertheless, the Kangaroos’ defenders will have the belief they can hold up, after conceding just six goals from 66 inside 50’s in Round 4.

"I think the guys definitely take some confidence out of going away from home and winning against a quality team in a hostile environment, but it’ll count for nothing when the ball’s bounced,” Drummond added.

"Our ability to work as team defence and restrict their (the Swans’) ball-flow is going to be crucial. Second to that, there are going to be times when Sydney does get through quickly, so it’s up to our ability to defend one-on-one and look to support each other."

North will be sweating on the fitness of Lachlan Hansen, who will be racing the clock to prove he's overcome a hip injury.

"He’s been terrific for us this year. I don’t think people realise just how well he has played outside our four walls. 

"He’s a terrific intercept player and his ability to cut off opposition raids and support his team-mates is really good. He’s also really worked on his ability to defend one-on-one.

"Opposition sides do their due diligence so they know his strengths and potential vulnerabilities, but he’s worked really hard to be a good one-on-one defender as well. He’s been a really important player for us this year.
 
"If he’s there or not, we’ve been able to do the job without him, but he really helps us when he’s in."

While North’s defensive unit has been ultra-consistent throughout 2014, stopping the talls is only half the challenge.

"When (Luke) Parker goes forward he can mark it, but he’s great at ground level… (Ben) McGlynn, (Harry) Cunningham, (Lewis) Jetta, Goodes who can do both (play tall or small) - so we’ll definitely have our work cut out, but it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to and one the boys have embraced all year."

The likes of Shaun Atley and Luke McDonald will be charged with roles on the smalls, while aiming to find the right balance between defence and attack.

"If you just sit back and you’re reactive to them and just worry about defending all day you’re creating a long day for yourself," Drummond said.

"It’s the same with Sydney’s back-line. They’ve got some good key-defenders and some high quality small defenders as well. They’ve got some great run there with (Nick) Malceski, (Dane) Rampe and (Rhyce) Shaw.

"It will be a battle no doubt to get the ball to ground and not concede goals, but also that rebound back the other way. Both teams do it pretty well when they are playing their brand of footy, so it will be a crucial element of the game."