Sydney midfield star Dan Hannebery says unbeaten North Melbourne deserve to start as favourites against the Swans at the SCG on Friday.

Boasting a dangerous tall attack and well-drilled midfield, North are the ladder leaders, while the Swans hold a 7-2 record after the opening nine rounds to sit fourth in the competition.

Hannebery says his team has a big job ahead.

"They are clearly, I think, the best team in the competition," Hannebery said.

“To play at the SCG and open Indigenous Round is going to be a special night for both teams.

“The guys are really excited by the big test.”

North Melbourne’s forward line has been headlined this season by former Carlton forward Jarrad Waite.

Waite has booted 27 goals this season working in tandem with Ben Brown and Drew Petrie to provide a dynamic combination in the front half of the ground.

Hannebery was full of praise for the way North Melbourne has started the year.

“They have evolved their game plan over the last few years and certainly have a lot of good quality all over the park,” he said.

“A really tall forward line, which is quite dangerous with Jarrad Waite, who is one of the in-form forwards of the competition.

“They are quite a well-drilled side and we are certainly going to be up against it tomorrow night.”

Hannebery has captured the attention of the coaches over the last few weeks, surging into the top three in the AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year award.

The 25-year-old said it’s the form of his teammates that has aided his consistent start to the season.

“My form this year has been reasonably consistent but I think that has been on the back of Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy and Kurt Tippett playing some of their best footy,” he said.

“You don’t play consistent senior football unless your teammates around you are playing well.

“That is the reason why I think a lot of the guys in the team are having good seasons right across the ground.”