NORTH Melbourne may have a chance to strengthen its claim on a spot in the top eight against cellar-dweller Melbourne on Sunday but despite the Kangaroos' inconsistent results this season — particularly against teams beneath them on the ladder — coach Dean Laidley believes their good form will hold true.

The Roos' worst performances have generally been interstate and Laidley said he had little reason to doubt home-town form.

"You probably have to go back to round one, against Essendon, where we didn't perform so well," he said yesterday.

"I think our form in Melbourne apart from that game has been spot-on, and we expect that to be the case on Sunday."

The Kangaroos are yet to cement their spot in the finals, unlike last year when they reached a preliminary final only to be thrashed by Port Adelaide, but Laidley believes the club has made strides in strengthening its long-term prospects.

"We certainly would have liked to win a few more games but we have only got ourselves to blame for that, but that is certainly the path that we have all chosen."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said he remained wary of the Kangaroos' forward line, one that will again be without Nathan Thompson this weekend.

"A bloke like (Matt) Campbell has been, I think, a really good consistent player for them, he's got great speed, sort of Aaron Davey speed and creativity," Bailey said.

"They're in good form and I think they've played some pretty exciting footy this year, North Melbourne."