North Melbourne has kept the door ajar to again play powerhouse utility Majak Daw as a forward on Sunday, with the Kangaroos still weighing their options in response to a recent string of injuries.
Key forwards Jarrad Waite (calf) and Mason Wood (hamstring) will watch from the stands at Etihad Stadium, leaving coach Brad Scott to again toy with a forward line spearheaded by Coleman Medal front-runner Ben Brown.
Daw showed promise when shifted from defence to the forward line for North’s clash with the Gold Coast on Sunday, presenting with gusto, looking strong overhead and finishing with two goals.
“It’s an interesting debate whether to play Majak as a forward or defender,” Scott told reporters on Thursday.
“I think it’s just horses for courses. We have certainly looked to give him some pretty good continuity as a defender but I thought his move forward last week was pretty good. He not only kicked a couple of goals but gave us another avenue, which takes a bit of pressure of Browny.
“We’ll look at multiple ways to support Ben Brown. I thought we made improvements in that last week.
“We’re very focused on going to Ben Brown. When he moves our midfielders and defenders like to kick it to him.”
While goal-kicking juggernaut Brown looms as a giant test for Sydney’s defence, the Roos boast strike all over the ground.
Key defender Robbie Tarrant is expected to play on star Sydney forward Lance Franklin.
The 119-game stalwart was named an All-Australian squad member in 2016 and has enjoyed a strong 2018 season.
In just one change for North, up-and-coming defender Alex Morgan will make his AFL debut off the back of impressive form in the VFL.
Star on-ballers Ben Cunnington, Shaun Higgins and Ben Jacobs feed off the elite tap-work of ruckman Todd Goldstein, while Jack Ziebell can do damage as a forward and midfielder.
The star quintet led the way as the Roos edged the Swans in Round 7, and Scott wants his troops to again match Sydney around the ball.
“They gave us what we expected in the contest in Round 7,” Scott said.
“They’re a very good contested side and a very good stoppage side, so we’ll have to be at our best there and we probably learned lessons and things we can improve on.
“Todd Goldstein’s been in great form for us and we’re hoping he can give us ascendancy in there so we can win first possession.”
The ninth-placed Roos are among a host of teams on the cusp of the top eight.
They have won nine games and lost six and cruised to a 37-point win over the Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
North pushed Essendon to the wire in an exhilarating high-scoring affair the week prior, before the Bombers snared a 19.11 (125) to 16.12 (108) victory.
The Roos collected a two-point win over the Swans at the SCG when the sides last met in Round 7.
