The Kangaroos return to home turf to host Geelong for the first time this season at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

Having faded in the fourth quarter against Sydney last week, North Melbourne will be out to push the top-four chasing Cats all the way.

Round 20, North Melbourne v Geelong
Where: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, VIC
When: Saturday, July 26 at 7.35pm AEST 
How to watch: Channel Seven, 7Plus, Foxtel, Kayo Sports

The opposition

A hard-fought win over St Kilda last weekend ensured the Cats stayed ahead of Hawthorn, GWS and Fremantle in what is shaping as a tight top-four race. 

Max Holmes ran riot through the middle against the Saints with 32 disposals, while Ollie Dempsey starred in his milestone 50th game. 

Spearhead Jeremy Cameron had four goals on the board before half-time and finished with five, extending his lead in this year's Coleman Medal race. 

The Cats have a relatively clear injury list, and star defender Tom Stewart is expected to be fit for Saturday night's game despite being substituted with a sore knee against the Saints. 

What the coach has said

North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson on Thursday: "They've played a lot of good footy this year and been pretty consistent for a long period of time, so it's a big challenge, but we're excited about what we can bring. We were really strong for the best part of three quarters against Sydney and then fell away. We've just got to go deeper into games."

Last time we met

Geelong won by 40 points when the teams last met in the same round last season.

Hobart's Ninja Stadium was the venue as the Kangaroos ensured there were nervy moments for the Cats en route to victory.

The Roos started hot, kicking the game's first three goals before the Cats settled. Three straight North Melbourne goals closed the gap to 10 points in the third quarter before Tyson Stengle and Patrick Dangerfield kicked goals before three-quarter time. 

Harry Sheezel topped the possession list for the game with 36 touches, while Roos ruckman Tristan Xerri was huge, notching 53 hitouts, eight tackles and five marks.

Rookie Ollie Dempsey produced some eye-catching plays for the winners, with 18 disposals and three goals including a soccered loose ball in the second quarter, while Cat Tom Stewart (32 disposals, four clearances) was equally as influential.