Rattled by an upset loss to competition heavyweights Adelaide, Melbourne are looking to fend off North Melbourne to maintain their hold on the premiership race.
Following the round-six defeat to the Crows, the defending premiers slipped to third to sit under the flag-chasing Kangaroos on percentage.
Touted as hot favourites for the flag, Melbourne's chance of going back-to-back could be under threat if they crumble to their rivals on Saturday at Ikon Park.
Learning from the Adelaide game, Melbourne midfielder Lily Mithen says connection across the field will be essential against a side that boasts a "stingy defence".
"When we got tested (against Adelaide), we shut down on offence and lost our connection," Mithen said on Friday.
"It is a really pivotal part of how we win games - our bold offence and transitioning the ball from defensive 50 to our offensive half and scoring quickly.
"Losing that for a large period of the game meant that we were on the back foot.
"Bringing that same level of intensity around the footy and then making the most of our opportunities is something we've definitely worked on in more recent weeks."
North Melbourne have history against them this weekend winning only one of six matches against the Demons, who dashed their hopes of a first grand-final appearance when they lost by 17-points in a preliminary final last season.
But with a three-game winning streak under their belt, Tahlia Randall says the Kangaroos are getting closer to toppling the league's top teams.
"Each year we are always improving. It's never easy, that's for sure," Randall said.
"But it's always good to test yourself against a foundation side or a top-four team to see where we really stand in the hierarchy of the league.
"Any game is always driving us, let alone a loss. We took quite a few key learnings out of (the preliminary final), things not to do again.
"Hopefully it can come to fruition on the weekend."
Elsewhere on Saturday, the winless Western Bulldogs take on Sydney, Adelaide play Brisbane, GWS tackle Carlton and Port Adelaide face off with Gold Coast.
Adelaide will be without premiership Crow Nawja Allen, whose three-game ban for a high-bump against Bulldog Kirsten McLeod is the largest in AFLW history.
Collingwood will be looking to cement their place in the top eight when they play Geelong on Sunday, while St Kilda hope to bolster their qualification chances against Fremantle.
Essendon close out Sunday's action when they host 17th-placed West Coast.
