Fresh off a 92-point hammering of fledgling GWS, Rockliff said the Lions had to show some consistency if they wanted to be taken seriously - and that starts with beating the Kangaroos.
Both clubs have 3-5 win-loss records, but the boys from Brisbane have had a much softer draw, with its wins coming against strugglers Melbourne, Gold Coast and the Giants.
Rockliff said he expected the Kangaroos to "come out blazing" after their final quarter meltdown against Port Adelaide last week.
"They're a quality team and they've got quality values," Rockliff said.
"You can see what they stand for and they fight tooth and nail and that's what I'm expecting. It's going to be a hard-fought contest.
"North Melbourne have been together for a few years now and this is a benchmark game for us. If we want to be a good footy club and move in the right direction, these are the sorts of games you've got to put on the line and win.
"Everyone's got a bit of confidence now but we've got to back it up and be consistent week in, week out. It's no good doing it one week and falling away the next and getting belted."
The prolific midfielder was at his best last week, racking up 36 disposals and three goals against the Giants and said Sunday's match at Etihad Stadium would be won in the middle of the ground.
Rockliff said he had enormous respect fort the Kangaroos' midfield.
"Whoever can get their hands on the footy first and give their forwards an opportunity will be very vital," he said.
"They're a hard-running team if you give them the outside space, especially at Etihad Stadium, they'll be hard.
"We have to control that and control the tempo of the game and make sure we close them out and don't give them too much uncontested footy."
One player the Lions will be keeping close tabs on is Rockliff's former Murray Bushrangers' teammate Jack Ziebell.
The pair were part of the Bushrangers' 2008 TAC Cup premiership team, along with Collingwood's Steele Sidebottom.
"He's a great fella, great country Victorian who is playing some good footy," Rockliff said of Ziebell.
"He's a powerful unit, uses his body well and he's going to be a dangerous player so we don't want to let him off the chain at all."
Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
