FORM GUIDE
The AFL ladder might have the Lions (14th) sitting two positions higher than the North Melbourne (16th) after three rounds, but current form would suggest that the winless Roos still deserve to go into the match as warm favourites.

North Melbourne have been defeated by each of the last three AFL Premiership teams – Sydney, Geelong, and Collingwood – and have been gallant in each loss.

The Lions, meanwhile, secured their first win of the season against Gold Coast last weekend by just two points, after falling to the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide in the opening two rounds.

SELECTION TABLE
At least two players have been named to make their senior AFL debut, with the Lions including teenage defender Sam Docherty and the Kangaroos naming Sudanese-born ruckman Majak Daw.

A couple more new faces could also feature in the match, with Marco Paparone (Lions) and Will Sierakowski (Roos) named on the respective extended interchange benches.

Both teams have also lost players through injury, with Lions wingman Jared Polec forced out with an ankle injury suffered in last week’s win over the Suns and North Melbourne forward Robbie Tarrant out with a leg complaint.

KEY MATCH-UPS
People often speak about the Kangaroos’ tall timber up forward, but it’s small forward Lindsay Thomas who’s been most dangerous for them in front of goals this season.

Thomas is the equal leading goal-kicker in the AFL competition having booted 12 goals from his first three games in 2013.

He will require close attention from one of the Lions’ defenders, and with Elliot Yeo omitted, that task may be given to Ash McGrath, Jed Adcock or even first-gamer Docherty.

Matthew Leuenberger, meanwhile, will have his hands full trying to contain two genuine ruckman in Todd Goldstein and athletic newcomer Majak Daw.

Leuenberger has played two senior matches since returning from a lengthy lay-off and has grown in confidence with each game. He will likely receive back-up support in the ruck from either Niall McKeever or Stefan Martin.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
After being eased through the pre-season, it was probably no surprise to see that Co-Captain Jonathan Brown was a touch rusty in the Lions’ opening two matches.

But the big forward hit his straps last week with a match-winning five-goal haul against the Suns at Metricon Stadium. He’ll be full of confidence heading into Sunday’s match knowing that another bag of goals might once again help lift his team to victory.

If he wasn’t there already, Andrew Swallow has certainly elevated himself to the top echelon of players in the AFL following three standout performances to open 2013.

The Roos skipper has collected 91 disposals in his three games this season, which ranks him equal fourth in the AFL competition.

Similar to the likes of Gary Ablett (Gold Coast) and Jobe Watson (Essendon), he hunts his own ball which makes an incredibly difficult opponent to tag.

MISSING IN ACTION
Jared Polec was one of four young Lions players who suffered an injury last weekend making them unavailable for selection against the Roos.

However, senior prospects Simon Black and Brent Staker have edged one step closer to a senior return with news they are expected to play with the Lions Reserves side this Saturday at Coorparoo.

North Melbourne have a near clean bill of health, with Tarrant probably the only 'regular' missing from their best 22.

RECENT HISTORY
The Lions have lost three of their past four matches against North Melbourne, including their past three at Etihad Stadium.

Interestingly, three of their past four encounters at Etihad Stadium have been decided by three goals or less.