Back on the winners list after three successive losses, North Melbourne travels to Launceston to take on Hawthorn in a crucial match-up.

In its last game before the bye in Round 11, the Kangaroos will be looking to enter the break with a split record at five wins and five losses, setting them up for a charge in the second half of the season.

1. Form

North Melbourne

Round 9: Defeated Brisbane by 16 points; 17.10.112 to 15.6.96
Round 8: Lost to Port Adelaide by 2 points; 14.9.93 to 14.11.95
Round 7: Lost to Western Bulldogs by 18 points; 12.11.83 to 15.11.101
Season: 4-5, 11th, 112.70%

North Melbourne registered its highest first half score of the season against the Lions. While Brisbane made a run in the third quarter with five goals in a row, North steadied and was up by 40-points in the final term before switching off nearing the final siren.

Hawthorn

Round 9: Lost to Richmond by 62 points; 10.15.75 to 21.11.137
Round 8: Defeated Fremantle by 56 points; 17.17.119 to 9.9.63
Round 7: Defeated Melbourne by 66 points; 15.25.115 to 6.13.49
Season: 5-4, 8th, 116.43%

Facing a rampant Richmond side, Hawthorn was unable to stick with the Tigers in the contest and fell away in the early stages of the fourth quarter for a heavy loss. The Hawks will take solace from the fact they've won eight of their last nine at their home away from home, Aurora Stadium.

2. Flashback

2007 Semi Final, MCG

North Melbourne 3.3.21, 5.5.35, 9.7.61, 14.9.93
Hawthorn 2.1.13, 4.3.27, 6.8.44, 8.12.60

Goals: Edwards (4), Harvey (4), Grant (1), McIntosh (1), McMahon (1), Petrie (1), Swallow (1), Wells (1)

After a heavy loss to Geelong in the qualifying final, North was written off by all and sundry heading into the semi-final against Hawthorn. The Hawks were widely expected to defeat the Kangaroos and earn a preliminary final berth.

But in a timely showcase of their famed Shinboner Spirit, the Kangaroos were first to the contest all night and showed the desperation required on the big stage. Brent Harvey shrugged off a number of physical tags to have a big impact with four goals. In just his 24th game, Jesse Smith was regarded as best-on-ground on the night.

3. Last time they met

Round 20, 2011, Aurora Stadium

North Melbourne 3.7.25, 5.7.37, 9.7.61, 13.8.86
Hawthorn 2.1.13, 6.6.42, 9.8.62, 15.13.103

Goals: Campbell (5), Petrie (2), Goldstein (1), Harvey (1), Pedersen (1), Richardson (1), Wells (1), Ziebell (1) Brownlow Medal: 3 - Mitchell (HAW), 2 - Hodge (HAW), 1 - Campbell (NM)

With chilly conditions, strong winds and heavy rain, the corresponding fixture last season was a throwback to an era past. Seemingly out of the game halfway through the final quarter, North fought back thanks mainly to Matt Campbell's brilliance. His four goals in the last term gave the Kangaroos an unlikely lead, but the Hawks had the last laugh.

4. The key positions

Playing at Aurora Stadium, conditions often prevent the taller players from both sides having a significant influence on the game. Heavy wind and rain transform the game into a scrappy affair suited for the smalls.

In last year'?s game, Campbell kicked five goals, yet it was late plays from Hawthorn?'s key-position players that ultimately helped the Hawks over the line. When the running power of players decreases with fatigue in the dying stages of a game, the talls provide a bail-out option for long kicks and can prove extremely valuable.

After Drew Petrie'?s return to form last week against the Lions, he will be called upon to provide a similar performance on Saturday afternoon.

5. Key matchup

Lance Franklin v the North Melbourne defence

While it may seem strange in hindsight to put such a focus on the Hawks' forward, in an appearance on Fox Footy?'s AFL 360 Scott Thompson summarized the threat Franklin can pose:

?"Everyone has to look out for him. He'?s a key-forward that brings them (the Hawks) together.

"?If he?'s kicking goals they are probably going to be winning, so everyone will be looking out for him and wanting to stop him.?"

After a performance below his lofty standards against Richmond, Franklin will be more determined than ever to bounce back, meaning Thompson, Nathan Grima and company will have to be ready for anything.

6. Preparation

Saturday's game will be North's third of the season coming off a six-day break. The Kangaroos were sloppy in the first half of the game against Gold Coast with the shorter break, and faded badly in the last quarter against Port Adelaide.

Going back to last season, North's record was four wins and two losses when playing after a six-day break, so its struggles in 2012 are buck the trend. The difference in 2011 was only one of the six games coming off the short week was played interstate (Gold Coast, Round 12).

Combine the short break with the need to arrive in Tasmania a day early, and the significance of recovery and precise preparation assumes even greater importance than usual.

7. Familiar faces

When North takes the field on Saturday, there will be a number of Hawthorn players with an Aegis Park connection.

Both Josh Gibson and David Hale were traded to Hawthorn, in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

The Gibson trade landed North pick 25 (Aaron Black) and 41 (Ayden Kennedy) in the 2009 National Draft while the departure of Hale brought the arrival of Kieran Harper through pick 27 in 2010.

Isaac Smith played for the Kangaroos' VFL affiliate North Ballarat before being drafted by Hawthorn, and Brad Sewell's younger brother Myles is a member of the current Roosters team and regularly lines up alongside North-listed players.

Former Hawk Will Sierakowski was acquired by North Melbourne in the 2011 trade period in exchange for selection 58 (on-traded by Hawthorn to Fremantle).