Set to don 'Connecting Through Identity' for the first time on Saturday, North Melbourne will host Sydney on Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Country for its opening Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash, under the tutelage of interim senior coach Brett Ratten.

Despite making a promising start against the Power in Hobart, a second-quarter lapse allowed the visitors to dominate and set up their 70-point win to ultimately stretch the Kangaroos' losing streak to seven games.

However, another opportunity for North Melbourne arises this weekend, when it unveils 2022 No.4 draft pick George Wardlaw and challenges a Swans outfit battling in their own right.

The opposition

After claiming consecutive wins in the season's opening two rounds, the 2022 Grand Finalists have claimed just four points from its past seven outings.

Sitting with a 3-6 record in 14th position on the ladder isn't where the football world envisioned the Swans being at this stage of proceedings, but last-gasp defeats to Port Adelaide and GWS, and deflating losses to Geelong and Fremantle, have seen them drop off the pace.

With an extensive injury list like that of North Melbourne's, an immediate rise back up the ladder seems doubtful, but coach John Longmire has history of being able to rescue his side from dire spots, most notably in 2017 when the club salvaged its season after a 0-6 start.

Team results aside, young gun Errol Gulden has discovered a rich vein of form and will enter Marvel Stadium fresh off a 39-disposal and two-goal game against Fremantle, while stars Chad Warner and Lance Franklin still possess the talent necessary to lead a mid-season resurgence.

What the coaches have said

North Melbourne interim coach Brett Ratten on Friday: "It is exciting (to be able to see Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw play together for the first time at North Melbourne). Harry has come in and performed at a really high standard and it'll be George's first game but it's also guys like Eddie Ford getting another opportunity, Miller Bergman down back, the list goes on and that's the exciting bit for this footy club."

Sydney coach John Longmire on Wednesday: "Look, (the Roos) have had some injuries and they'll have some players missing as well but it's about us. We look at what North Melbourne are doing and what they can do but we're mindful of making sure we can get our team going in four quarters. That's what we're focusing on at the moment."

Running hot

Refusing to slow down at the back-end of his career, Todd Goldstein was at his brilliant best last weekend yet again.

The 303-gamer was a standout for North Melbourne against Port Adelaide, racking up 24 disposals and registering game-highs for hitouts (56), clearances (11) and inside 50s (seven).

Although it wasn't exactly close to his current AFL record of 80, Goldstein's Round 9 tally of 56 hitouts became his equal-seventh highest amount in one game.

Continuing to supply his midfield teammates with first use of the footy at 34, the veteran will need to put in another solid shift on Saturday if the Roos are to end their six-game skid against the Swans and claim their first win since Round 2.

Last time we met

A Nick Larkey masterclass wasn't quite enough for the Kangaroos who fell to the visiting Swans in Round 21 last season, 13.10 (88) to 18.18 (126).

The dead-eye key forward responded to being held goalless against the Bombers a week earlier by slamming home seven majors to earn 10 coaches' votes from Longmire and North Melbourne interim coach Leigh Adams.

The Roos fought hard over the course of the day, but Sydney's overall class prevailed as they claimed a fifth-straight victory.

Jy Simpkin and Luke Davies-Uniacke combined for 61 disposals and 12 clearances through midfield, while Franklin led the way down forward for Sydney with four goals.