North Melbourne’s players are preparing for a big challenge against two of the in-form forwards in the competition on Saturday.

Key-forward Jesse Hogan has booted eight goals in the opening two rounds, while small-forward Jeff Garlett starred in the win over Brisbane last week.

For the Roos, nothing less than a team effort will get the job done.

“We know how good Jesse Hogan is on his day, so we are just trying to support each other, and whoever has a role on him, we will try and support them,” defender Ed Vickers-Willis told North Media.

“Similarly, to Jeff Garlett, he’s a quality player, so it will be up to everyone to play our system and mitigate their effect on the game. 

“They’ve got a pretty even forward line, so all of us defenders will have our specific roles.” 

It’s not just the forward line that has star power, with Michael Hibberd an All-Australian in 2017, and Jake Lever one of the highest-profile acquisitions in last year’s exchange period holding up a key post. 

“They have some very good players in defence, with Hibberd All-Australian, and Lever having a great year with the Crows, helping them to the Grand Final,” forward Nathan Hrovat said.

“Hopefully we can make them do the defending and get on top of them that way.

“We are going to focus on us more so than them, but with guys like (Jordan) Lewis and (Neville) Jetta as well we have to be wary of what they can do. 

“We are hoping that we can play to our measure and really challenge them.” 

The Melbourne midfield is a formidable test as well, with skipper Jack Ziebell looking forward to going up against two of the brightest up-and-coming stars in the competition.

“Inside, Clayton Oliver is one of the best clearance players in the league, and Christian Petracca is really establishing himself as an outstanding player as well,” Ziebell said.

“We’ll have to be on our toes in there to make sure we can nullify those guys for sure.” 

Ziebell has his eyes on another match-up though, and one that will no doubt be a key in deciding the contest.

“Big Max Gawn will be a handful as well, but we are confident that Goldy (Todd Goldstein) will be able to take the challenge to him.”