North Melbourne travels to Canberra on Sunday hoping to take a long-awaited top-eight scalp.

The Kangaroos delivered an improved performance against the Saints on Sunday, and will be stinging from the defeat, after surging to within three points in the closing minutes. 

They face a Greater Western Sydney team looking to consolidate its finals position.

Round 22, GWS Giants v North Melbourne 
Where: Corroboree Group Oval Manuka, Canberra, ACT
When: Sunday, August 10 at 1.40pm AEST 
How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo Sports

The opposition

Though on track for finals, the Giants are reeling after being on the wrong end of a demolition by the Western Bulldogs last week.

Tall Dogs Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy ran riot in the 88-point win, and Adam Kingsley's men will be motivated to hit back in Canberra.

Toby Greene, Jack Buckley, Josh Kelly and Brent Daniels were among the big names sidelined against the Dogs.

Greene will be available on Sunday after serving a one-match suspension for striking, but Buckley (calf), Kelly (calf) and Daniels (adductor) will again be watching on.

Spearhead Jesse Hogan could also be in doubt to face the Roos after struggling with a foot injury last weekend. 

What the coach has said

North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson on Sunday: "Our endeavour (against the Saints) was really strong, but the bottom line is we just couldn’t get it inside 50 enough. It was a single figure margin that split the two sides at the end of the game but it was a double-figure margin in the inside-50 differential. We need to work out a way we can get the ball inside 50 and hold it in there a bit more often. We're not too bad at converting the chances once we get it in there but we just need to get a greater volume of them." 

On the weeks ahead: "It's a tough grind. We're making progress but we'd like the progress to be more in terms of wins and we're not quite there at the moment. But the mood and morale is good within the four walls of the footy club."

Last time we met

It's been 17 months since the sides last faced off in last season's opening round.

Star Giants forward Jesse Hogan was on song, kicking six goals as GWS won by 39 points on home turf in Sydney.

Giant onballers Lachie Whitfield, Stephen Coniglio and Tom Green led the way for the winners, while a debutant named Colby McKercher showed promise for the Kangaroos, gathering nine touches in the opening term and finishing with 22 for the day.