THE FOUR AFLW matches between Melbourne and North Melbourne have been decided by an average of 6.25 points, and this Friday looms as no exception.
The game has been moved to the MCG to become a double-header with the Melbourne-Sydney AFL qualifying final, providing vastly different playing conditions to that of Casey Fields, which is the only ground where the two sides have met.
"I think we play a really similar brand of footy, in the sense we both love the contested ball, and then we both have skill on the outside," Melbourne midfielder Lily Mithen said.
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"You mention there's been some really tight games between the two teams, and I think that's because we do play a similar brand of footy.
"We love playing against North, we really respect them, and they have great players across the board, and we love the challenge this week presents."
The Dees upset reigning premier Adelaide in round one, after the Crows had comfortably outplayed Melbourne in the season six Grand Final earlier this year.
"I think belief is a big one, I think we've obviously been on the rough side of Adelaide the last few times we've played them, so to finally get over them – they're such a great team, we respect them so, so much," Mithen said.
"So to finally beat them, was a really good start to our campaign. I loved the performance of our group, I thought we were so strong in the contest against probably the best contest team.
"To match them and beat them in that area is something we'll continue to build on throughout the year. We'll take a lot of belief out of that win and it's a great stepping stone for the rest of the year."
One of the players Mithen will be coming up against is North Melbourne Irish recruit Vikki Wall, who made her debut against Gold Coast last weekend.
Friday will mark Wall's first game at the MCG, but it's also the first time the Roos' AFLW side will play at the football colosseum.
"I was here in 2019 (watching) very briefly when I was over for the Combine, but it will definitely be the first time I'm playing. It's an exciting time for AFLW to be playing here," Wall said.
"Even being here, it's simple to understand the relevance of having an AFLW game here and being before the men's finals and stuff is a good step for AFLW.
"Even compared to our own game back home, which is growing, I think we had 49,000 at our (Gaelic football) final, so it's going to be a great occasion."
Wall has had a quick turnaround, with her Gaelic football premiership meaning she only arrived in Australia a week before the official practice match, and three weeks before round one.
"I've really been enjoying it so far, it's been interesting, getting used to the rules and the girls have been great in bringing me on board, and even the management and stuff in helping me have been great.
"[Tackling] is probably the part of the game I was most looking forward to coming over. I think back home we have similar gym regime, but we probably don't get to use our physicality as much as we'd like.
"Luckily I've been coming off the season back home, so it hasn't been like I've needed a pre-season from scratch. North Melbourne have been really good in managing my load, I think yesterday was the first conditioning session I have done not being 'off legs', so they've definitely been good at managing that so far."
