The Kangaroos are out to build on a spirited showing against Hawthorn last week when they return to Marvel Stadium to take on the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night.

Round 22, Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne
When: Thursday, August 6 at 7.30pm AEST
Where: Marvel Stadium, Docklands, VIC
How to watch: Channel 7, Foxtel, Kayo Sports

The opposition

The Bulldogs are treating Thursday night like a final, knowing a win over the Kangaroos will lock in at least a top-10 finish and a place in the finals picture.

It comes off the back of a gritty 37-point loss to ladder-leaders Fremantle, a result that ended a three-game winning streak, but one coach Luke Beveridge says his side can use as motivation with something tangible now on the line.

Their midfield remains the Bulldogs’ biggest weapon regardless, with Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore, Ed Richards, Ryley Sanders and Matthew Kennedy giving them one of the most damaging engine rooms in the competition.

They’ll regain sharpshooter Aaron Naughton as well as Cody Weightman and Lachie Jacques, with Louis Emmett, Jedd Busslinger and Laitham Vandermeer all omitted.

Running hot

Luke Davies-Uniacke celebrated his 150th AFL game against Hawthorn in strong individual fashion, racking up 27 disposals, 633 metres gained, seven clearances and seven tackles at UTAS Stadium.

It's the kind of two-way influence North Melbourne will need again on Thursday night against a hard-running Bulldogs midfield, with Davies-Uniacke set to play a crucial role matching it with the Dogs’ best at stoppages and centre ball-ups.

What the coach has said

North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson on Tuesday: "Every week you come up against a star player and sometimes you try to do something about that ... we'll have to put some consideration into 'The Bont' (Marcus Bontempelli). He's a star player, for 10 years he's been the marquee player of the competition just about, so we'll have to have a heavy focus on him."

Last time we met

The Western Bulldogs spoiled North Melbourne's centenary celebrations when the two sides last met, running out 49-point winners over the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium in Round 17 last season.

The Kangaroos matched it with the Dogs for large parts of the first half as Nick Larkey slammed through five majors, but the Dogs kicked 10 goals to five in the second half to pull away.

Sam Darcy, who was held quiet for most of the night by young North Melbourne defender Wil Dawson, booted three of his four majors in the final term, while Naughton finished with five of his own.

It was the Bulldogs' engine room that ultimately proved the difference, with Bontempelli, Richards and Liberatore helping the visitors seize control in the second half. Colby McKercher was elite for the Roos, finishing the night with 32 touches and a goal.