The Kangaroos have made sweeping changes to their Round 11 side as they look to keep the good times rolling with a victory over Geelong this weekend.

Both teams enter the clash in good form having each won three of their past five contests. Whoever emerges victorious from this clash could put themselves in a strong position in the tight race for finals football.

AFLW-listed midfielder Perri King headlines the inclusions and will make her first appearance since the Round 5 victory over Williamstown. Teagan Bradley, Audrey Rhodes and Laura Wright also return and are joined by debutant and Tasmanian Devils representative Georgia Alomes.

>> Full VFLW fixture and results

Rhodes comes in for her first appearance since the Round 7 defeat to Essendon where she played a strong defensive role to keep reigning VFLW best and fairest winner Georgia Nanscawen relatively quiet on what was a tough day for the Kangaroos.

Ruck Liz McGrath will be hoping to continue her fine form in the middle of the ground after last week's strong performance against Carlton's Jorja Borg. She's been North's most consistent performer so far this season and has dominated her direct opponent on almost a weekly basis for this entire season.

Star midfielder Brooke Slaney and livewire forward Alice O'Loughlin are amongst the players to make way for the five inclusions.

Return of the King

After struggling to break into North Melbourne's strong midfield in this past AFLW season, Perri King would have hoped to put together a strong run of form at VFLW level to launch herself into Darren Crocker's calculations next season.

Since suffering a foot injury in Round 5 though, she has had to fight her way back into the side and has well and truly earned her opportunity to impress once again at reserve level.

Her abilities are something of a known quantity in the VFLW having appeared for the Kangaroos last season. Her elite tackling pressure and strong contested efforts in the midfield will be a welcome addition to the side in what looms as a potential do-or-die clash.

Paterno leading the way

It's no coincidence that Emily Paterno's uptick in form has coincided with the Kangaroos's rise up the ladder. Even though she was held goalless against Carlton last week she's quickly emerged as one of North's most important players.

She's played a crucial role in each of her side's last three wins. Whether it's timely goals, strong marks or intense tackling pressure, Paterno has been leading this North forward line by example in recent weeks.

Her goal against Darebin saw North take the lead back late in the third term, a lead which they would hold onto for the remainder of the game.

Against Port Melbourne she kicked both of her team's second half goals on a day where inaccuracy in front of the big sticks nearly cost the Kangaroos the win.

She was even a strong influence last week against Carlton despite going goalless.

The Cats have built their campaign on the foundation of a stingy defence. They conceded just 17 points last week against Port Melbourne and have the fourth lowest total score kicked against them in 2022.

Paterno and her fellow forwards are going to have to be on form this week if the Kangaroos are to run away with the four points.

>> The game will be streamed live on vflw.tv

Saturday, May 7

North Melbourne v Geelong at Arden Street Oval, 9.30am AEST

NORTH MELBOURNE

B: 17. J Jones, 1. M Eastman
HB: 18. A Melnikas, 33. T Bradley, 24. E Macdonald
C: 2. J Mourney, 28. P King, 35. A Smith
HF: 23. A Scott, 44. B Gibson, 26. T Craven
F: 21. E Paterno, 16. G Nicholas
R: 22. E McGrath, 42. E Maurer, 4. A Rhodes

I/C: 15. S Skinner, 3. H Ibrahim, 19. L Wright, 39. G Alomes, 12. R Hicks
EMG: 25 L Loughnane, 10. C Fitzgerald, 29. T Moss

Ins: 33. T Bradley, 4. A Rhodes, 19. L Wright, 39. G Alomes, 28. P King
Outs: 7. B Slaney, 37. J Blair, 36. A Bissett, 6. A O'Loughlin, 10. C Fitzgerald