USUALLY the last side you want to face when needing to find form again is North Melbourne, but Sydney Swans coach Scott Gowans is “excited” by the prospect of taking on the 21-game unbeaten ladder leaders.

The two sides face off at UTAS Stadium on Saturday, with the Swans sitting sixth despite losing their past three games to Collingwood, GWS and Adelaide. North Melbourne on the other hand has not looked like losing – maybe bar a slow start against the Bombers last week but were against a heavy breeze – crushing any opponent that has got in the Roos’ way.

Gowans knows the Roos better than most, having been North Melbourne’s inaugural coach across 13 games, but has established his Sydney side which made finals in its second season two years ago before a down year last season due to a raft of injuries. After starting the season 4-0, the Swans are now 4-3 heading into Round 8.

“We’re not intimidated, we’re actually excited by the challenge and there’s no bigger challenge in footy is there at the moment and credit to them, they’ve been fantastic and what Darren Crocker’s done an amazing job,” Gowans said.

“We go there here with a free throw at the stumps and it’s really just about us and if we can do what we did last week and play that free-flowing footy. “They’re a very well structured side but we’re excited by the opportunity it’s a it’s a big challenge but it’s an exciting one to go away and travel down to Tasmania, Launceston, nice big deck so there’s no excuse for for not having a really good throw at it.”

Given the Swans boast the underdog tag, Gowans said the red and whites “absolutely” looked forward to heading into the game with a “nothing to lose” mentality.

“We said last week that these these next four weeks are like a mini final series and that was exactly what it was last week and and now you get another chance at it so we’re learning as we go along,” he said. “But yeah it is, there’s just no excuse for for getting on your back foot now and we know what to expect we know what we’re going to get. So just go out and hunt and just try to get the game on our terms as many times as we have to to try and get the result we need.”

Both sides will regain some key players with Erika O’Shea available after missing the win over Essendon with general soreness, while the Swans welcome back reigning best and fairest winner Sofia Hurley. Ruck Ally Morphett is also a chance to play after missing last week due to a calf strain.