North Melbourne coach Brad Scott has multiple plans to stop Patrick Dangerfield but admits that still might not be enough to curb the Geelong superstar's influence.
The reigning Brownlow medallist looms as a major threat to the Kangaroos when they face Geelong at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Dangerfield was typically excellent in the Cats' opening-round thumping of Fremantle, playing mostly forward and finishing with three goals and 24 touches.
It came as no surprise to North coach Scott, who can still remember the damage he inflicted when the sides met midway through last year.
The versatile Dangerfield racked up a career-high 48 disposals, 11 inside-50s and two goals as the Cats surged to a 31-point win.
"He was unbelievable," Scott said on Friday.
"We lost a few guys in the second half of that game and then he really got off the leash.
"I think (Nick Dal Santo) and Andrew Swallow were out there but injured. It's hard enough to go with Dangerfield when you're fully fit, let alone when you're hobbling around.
"We'll have probably three distinct plans to try and counter him but people have tried lots of things against him in the past.
"He's a Brownlow medallist for a reason, and probably favourite to do it again, so we're going to have to be flexible with the way we go about it and not just go with plan A and hope it works."
The Kangaroos have made four changes after being thumped by West Coast last week.
Debutants Braydon Preuss, Declan Mountford and Mitchell Hibberd have all been omitted, while Jarrad Waite is out for up to six weeks after injuring his shoulder.
Athletic ruck-forward Majak Daw, Aaron Mullett and Taylor Garner have been added to the 22 along with midfielder Ben Cunnington, who was suspended for the season-opener.
Geelong flirted with recalling ruckman Zac Smith but instead added Darcy Lang in place of exciting young midfielder Nakia Cockatoo, who injured his thumb against the Dockers.
Last week's loss to the Eagles indicated it might be a long year ahead for the Kangaroos, who are in rebuilding mode following the departure of several key veterans, but Geelong coach Chris Scott said he would not be underestimating twin brother Brad's young side.
"They looked to have West Coast, who I think are probably the best team in the competition at the moment, on the ropes early in the game on the weekend," he said.
"They're missing some personnel when you compare them to last year but clearly their football at times this year has been at a high level."
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