North Melbourne takes to the stage in prime time this week for a Thursday night bout against Essendon.

Having run Port Adelaide close at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, the Kangaroos will be determined to build on their improving form and take it up to their old rivals.

Round 8, Essendon v North Melbourne
Where: Marvel Stadium, VIC
When: Thursday, May 1 at 7.30pm AEST 
How to watch: Channel 7, Foxtel, Kayo Sports

In the mix

With Paul Curtis suspended, a spot has opened up inside Alastair Clarkson's forward line.

Cooper Harvey booted three goals in the VFL side's two-point win over Carlton on Good Friday and is a chance to make his season debut, while untried youngster Geordie Payne is another who has been able to hit the scoreboard regularly at Reserves level.

Given Curtis' strong aerial prowess, Finnbar Maley shapes as another option. Bailey Scott and Will Phillips will also be in the frame for call-ups if Clarkson and the selection committee wish to reshuffle the midfield.

The opposition

Defeat on Anzac Day against Collingwood snapped a three-game winning streak for Essendon.

The Bombers collected the scalps of Port Adelaide, Melbourne and West Coast before falling to the Magpies, and now sit 12th on the ladder with a 3-3 record.

Former Kangaroo Todd Goldstein could be set to line up against his old teammates on Thursday night, after earning praise from coach Brad Scott for his first senior game of the season on Anzac Day.

Harry Jones (ankle) and Dylan Shiel (cramp) are available for selection after injury scares against Collingwood, while Scott has flagged a potential return for young midfielder Elijah Tsatas. 

What the coach has said

North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson on Wednesday: "We were pleased with our endeavour and application to get ourselves back into the contest [against Port Adelaide]. We were right in the game, particularly in the last 15 minutes of it ... we just couldn't find a way to put it through the sticks and apply some real scoreboard pressure to the Port Adelaide side. In terms of a contest and giving ourselves a chance, we did that, but we need to do it for four quarters and we (only) did for for three last week."

Milestone man

Veteran defender Caleb Daniel will play his 200th game when he runs out against the Bombers.

A 2016 premiership medal was the high point of Daniel's 192 appearances for the Western Bulldogs, where he spent the first 10 seasons of his career. Daniel also earned an All Australian blazer and won a club best and fairest at Whitten Oval before becoming a Kangaroo during last October's trade period.

He's played every game since becoming a Roo and will be aiming to rediscover his best form in his milestone game against the Bombers.