Greater Western Sydney defender Joel Patfull says his side is confident it can contain North’s forward set up.

With Shaun Higgins set to join a forward line featuring some tall timber in Drew Petrie, Ben Brown and Majak Daw, Patfull said the Giants’ defensive group was ready for the challenge.

"We have a good mix of players down there so we can rotate through a few different match-ups," Patfull said on Friday.

"If someone gets caught on a certain player we're not too fussed about that.

"We can all play on talls or smalls, and whatever look they give us, we feel pretty comfortable that we can match them and go from there."

Patfull said the Giants had obviously been aware of the emotion surrounding the week that was at Arden St, but had paid little attention to the news that has had the footy world talking for the past few days.

“From our point of view we just focus on ourselves like we do every week," he said.

"Obviously there'll be a bit of extra feeling and the crowd will probably get involved when those players (Petrie, Brent Harvey, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo) are around the footy, but we've got to do what we've got to do and move on.

"This time of year it's a big game for both teams, we're all getting ready for finals, so I think it's going to be a tough game either way."

Patfull heaped praise on the 38-year-old Harvey.

“He gets involved up the field and obviously he's really dangerous coming back as well.

"He's smart with the way he runs and when he gets the ball around the 50 or inside 50, he's really dangerous.

"I've spent a bit of time on him (in the past), and he's obviously a tough opponent so I'll have my hands full if I do spend some minutes on him for sure."