North Melbourne coach Brad Scott is welcoming an early chance to watch his players under AFL finals-like pressure against Fremantle at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Not only will the Dockers be desperate, with their finals hopes hinging on the result, but Scott says Fremantle’s stifling, defensive style is exactly what the Kangaroos will face in September.

“Our focus is on what we think is going to be a finals atmosphere in terms of pressure around the ball,” Scott told reporters on Thursday.

“If we do play finals and we’re playing against really good sides, then there’s no better preparation than to play Fremantle.

“They’re pressuring the opposition as well as anyone at the moment.”

The Kangaroos hope to regain midfield star Daniel Wells from a calf strain, with the fact that they should play finals regardless of the result not influencing their decision on whether he is ready.

“Everyone knows we’re a better side with Daniel Wells in it and we’re really keen for him to come back in,” Scott said.

“We’re certainly not treating this game as one where we’ll rest him.

“If he’s right to play, we’ll play him.”

While Wells’ explosive pace would be valuable against Fremantle’s shut-down style, Scott said winning the contested ball would be the key.

The Kangaroos have won nine of their past 10 games, including most-recent victories in blockbusters against Essendon and Collingwood, while the Dockers have won six of their past seven.

Scott said Fremantle had started consistently producing the sort of contested style that coach Ross Lyon made his hallmark at St Kilda.

“Fremantle at the moment are playing footy that I think’s worthy of a top-four standing,” he said.

Scott said the way the Kangaroos’ players had handled recent big games would benefit them for the future, as would Sunday’s clash.

“Every time that challenge came up, we’ve answered that so that’s been really pleasing,” he said.

“But the challenges keep presenting themselves.

“Any time you come up against a Ross Lyon-coached side, you know you’re going to be in for one hell of a challenge.”