Experienced North Melbourne defender Michael Firrito says his team need to remember how to win if they hope to finally break a run of nine AFL games without a victory.

The Kangaroos go into Sunday's clash with Melbourne at Etihad Stadium not having won a game since their round nine triumph over Fremantle.

But they have been in positions to win in all but one of their past six matches, including a deflating draw against Richmond and a 10-point loss to Carlton last weekend in which they butchered a swag of last-quarter chances in front of goal.

"Maybe we've forgotten how to win, how to get ourselves over the line," admitted Firrito.

"Over the years we've been pretty good at that. I hope we're not too far away from getting the result we so dearly want.

"Hopefully we'll do enough against the Dees to put ourselves in a position, then get ourselves over the line."

The 26-year-old is also hoping to finish the season in style on a personal note, admitting he was not happy with his consistency in 2009.

"I've been a bit inconsistent for my liking and I think I've been a bit quiet the past three weeks," Firrito said.

"It's frustrating from a personal point of view. I've gone out on the track this week to have a good week and tried to get everything right."

The clash between 14th-placed North and bottom-placed Melbourne is certain to come under scrutiny for the respective coaches' tactics after eyebrows were raised at some of the Demons' moves in their last-gasp loss to Richmond.

It was a result which gave further oxygen to the debate on teams "tanking" for more advantageous draft picks.

Both North and Melbourne could shuffle around the order of the bottom four with a win.

The Kangaroos have recalled midfielder Daniel Harris and Leigh Adams to replace Adam Simpson, who retired last week, and the injured Leigh Harding.

Melbourne have made five changes, including bringing back midfield stars Colin Sylvia, Brent Moloney and Cale Morton.

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