North Melbourne's planning for their AFL match against Hawthorn will include the James Sicily rule.
That is, don't kick it to him.
The Hawks skipper will return from his three-match suspension on Sunday at Marvel Stadium and the key defender will be a pivotal player.
All four Hawthorn wins this season have featured double-figure mark tallys for Sicily, including a career-best 18 in round three when the Hawks beat the Kangaroos at Launceston.
Sicily is one of the game's best intercept marks and despite the Hawks sitting 16th on the ladder, he will feature in All-Australian selection discussions.
"He's a damned good player and if we keep kicking the ball to him, he'll probably keep getting it," said Kangaroos coach Brett Ratten.
"If we could maybe not kick it to him, that would be a start.
"He gives Hawthorn a real weapon back there ... we'll have to be careful of him."
With Sicily out of the side, Hawthorn have lost their past three games.
But the Kangaroos are on a 14-game losing streak and had a terrible start last Sunday on the way to a 62-point belting from Geelong.
They also lost Griffin Logue to a knee reconstruction, while Jy Simpkin (concussion) and Flynn Perez (knee) were sidelined as well.
"We're still searching for that four-quarter consistency and it feels like we say that most weeks," Ratten said.
"How can we be consistent in games - whether we're controlling the ball or not - they don't have to score."
The Kangaroos dropped Hugh Greenwood and Charlie Lazzaro, while Jackson Archer, the son of club great Glenn, will play his first game this season.
Liam Shiels is also back to play against his old side, with George Wardlaw, Curtis Taylor and Josh Goater the other inclusions.
Cameron Zurhaar will play despite nursing a bruised heel.
"We've just looked after him a little bit. He'll play this week, for sure," Ratten said.
Luke Breust and Max Ramsden will also return for the Hawks, with Breust back after suffering a bruised larynx in the round-16 loss to Carlton.
Coach Sam Mitchell had been unsure before Friday's training whether Breust would be ready in time.
"HIs voice is still a bit iffy ... we might have a 'yell-off', see how far he can yell. The bruising has come down, but his voice is still scratchy," Mitchell said.
