North Melbourne are preparing for a bruising encounter on Sunday, with Kangaroos Senior Coach Brad Scott declaring the Bulldogs’ best can challenge most sides in the competition.

The Bulldogs recent form line has seen the team within striking distance in six of the past eight games, securing four wins and two narrow losses.

Scott is mindful that the Bulldogs mix of experience and young talent can be a damaging combination when the team is on song and will take that knowledge into Sunday’s clash.

“[The Bulldogs] have won four of their last eight, lost by two and three [goals] to Essendon and Geelong,” Scott said.

“Their good footy has been really good.”

Scott said North’s ability to restrict their opponent’s forward entries has been a highlight of their game and the Bulldogs will need to work hard to penetrate the area.

North have held seven teams to under 10 goals this season, including last weekend against the GWS Giants and will be looking to replicate that on Sunday.

“We obviously put a big emphasis on defence and we have defended our inside 50 entries against us pretty well and we look to continue that again,” he said.

“But I think the Bulldogs… are playing a pretty good brand of footy – I think both sides will be looking to defend better than they have but the attacking options for both sides are pretty good.”