North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson is expecting notorious Geelong tagger Oisin Mullin to go to one of the club's midfield stars during this weekend's must-win clash.
Mullin has been used by the Cats to nullify the game's best midfielders throughout the season to great effect.
Luke Davies-Uniacke, fresh off a two-goal, 31 disposal, 10 tackle and 10 clearance performance, is the leading candidate as he produces arguably a career-best season.
However, Clarkson said the club isn't sure which of the Roos' stars Mullin will look to tag.
"We expect Mullin to probably go to someone because that's been nearly the case in every game that Geelong's played for a fair period of time now and he's done a terrific job in those roles," Clarkson said in a press conference on Thursday.
"So I wouldn't expect that to change, just who he actually goes to. It could be LDU, it could be (Harry) Sheezel, who's to know who he goes to. So we need to be prepared for that.
"LDU's a pretty experienced player now, you know, he's had to deal with these sorts of things before.
"The midfield battle between these two sides, like in any game really, but this one in particular, that battle is pretty crucial to the result of the game."
Veteran Luke McDonald is up for selection after recovering from calf tightness, while Clarkson said key defender Aidan Corr (back spasm) had recovered well during the week and a decision on his availability would be made later today.
Likewise with midfielder Tom Powell, who has recovered from a groin injury.
Star forward Paul Curtis was absent from training on Thursday morning for personal reasons, but Clarkson said his young gun would be right to go for captain's run on Friday and in the game.
Midfielder-defender and 2024 draftee Luke Urquhart has found form in the VFL across the past month after a tough first half of the season due to injuries.
Urquhart registered 22 disposals, five tackles and a goal in the VFL against Footscray last weekend.
Whether that form could see Urquhart score a late-season debut, Clarkson wouldn't confirm.
"(Urquhart) had a pretty interrupted first half of the year for us," he said.
"We are just really keen for him to play back-to-back games, and whether that is at AFL level or reserve grade level, we don't mind so much at the minute; it's just about getting continuity.
"He missed a big slab; I think he has only played six games for the year. He had a really, really good summer and then had a stress reaction in the leg that held him back for the first half of the year.
"Hopefully, he continues to consolidate his form in the ressies, and we will see where it goes in the last couple of games."
