Melbourne AFL coach Neil Craig says North Melbourne will turn the corner very soon and they're approaching a tipping point ahead of Saturday's round-18 clash between the two sides at Etihad Stadium.
Craig, who is interim coach of the 17th-placed Demons for the rest of the 2013 season, says if North can keep calm despite their roller-coaster season they will come out the other side and steamroll opposition teams.
North are 13th with a 6-10 win-loss record and their finals hopes are remote with six rounds remaining.
However five of North's defeats have been by less than a goal including Carlton's one-point victory last week.
"They're getting close to a tipping point," Craig told reporters on Friday.
"If they keep calm as a footy club, they're not far from being ready to really go.
"They move the ball at great speed. As a stoppage team they're very, very good so they've got a lot of good things going for him.
"They've got some really good young talent."
North have handed Cameron Delaney his first senior game of the year and dropped backman Scott McMahon.
Melbourne recalled ex-Kangaroo Cam Pedersen for injured defender Col Garland.
Craig said he hoped Garland would miss only one match with a sprained ankle.
"We'll keep our fingers crossed because he's been in exceptional form," Craig said.
Pedersen will play his 24th senior game and eighth with his new club.
The 26-year-old is averaging 13 disposals and five marks for the Demons.
"He needs to take the opportunity," Craig said.
"He's got some great qualities but he needs to start to cement (his spot) or create what I call team security.
"He has very good aerial skills. It does come down to consistency of performance.
"That will be Cam's challenge."
Pedersen faces some tough match-ups in defence as the Demons try to counter North's tall trio Drew Petrie, Robbie Tarrant and Aaron Black as well as small forward Lindsay Thomas who booted six goals against the Blues.
Craig said he hadn't spoken with Pedersen about the need to prove something to his former club.
"He may consider that. I'd like to think that players are better than that," Craig said.
"They don't just play well against their old team."
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