Tighter defence gives Kangas chance to take down Pies

The Kangaroos (2-7-1) sit second from bottom after a slow start to the season and will likely miss out on finals for a ninth successive year.

They will start rank outsiders against the ladder-leading Magpies at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

But competitive performances over the last month have lifted the spirits of Alastair Clarkson's men, who were four-point winners over Richmond last time out.

"Belief and confidence is a massive part of football and we've built that over the last four weeks," Kangaroos defender Charlie Comben told AAP.

"We'll carry that into the Collingwood game.

"We've had a good block now and we've got evidence that the system we play and our game plan works.

"We can play in that and let our skills shine.

"We're going to bring that against Collingwood and hopefully it's a really good game for us."

Central to North Melbourne's better run has been a much tighter team defence.

The Kangaroos leaked five triple-figure scores in their opening six games, conceding an average of 117.3 points per game.

Since then, they have held opponents to just 76.8 points per game in near misses against Port Adelaide and Essendon, a draw with reigning premiers Brisbane and the win over Richmond.

"The last few weeks has been telling," Comben said.

"Before that, there was a lot (of ball) coming in.

"Our mids and our forwards are starting to put a lot more pressure on, which makes our job easier.

"It's all coming together and I think our defence is starting to mould and shape into what we wanted."

Collingwood (8-2) have beaten North Melbourne in their last five meetings and entered round 11 half-a-game clear on top of the ladder, aiming for a third-straight win.

"They're in some great form and they can really have a shake at the premiership this year," Comben said.

"But I think we can give them a good shake and we just want to be in the game around three-quarter time.

"It's anyone's game from there, and that's what we've done for the last four weeks.

"Whoever we play, we're going in with the same game plan and we'll try to execute it like we have for the last four weeks."

Collingwood will give star defender Dan Houston (corked calf) every chance to play, but captain Darcy Moore (shoulder) and Lachie Schultz (concussion) are still unavailable.

Magpies veteran Steele Sidebottom has been rested, while 19-year-old small forward Will Hayes will make his debut.

North Melbourne's Paul Curtis is back from suspension and Zac Fisher has been recalled, with Bailey Scott and Zane Duursma dropped.

Australian Associated Press