North Melbourne pose as a big test to a Fremantle team looking to maintain an unbeaten home record against interstate clubs, according to defender Luke Ryan.

Fremantle face the Kangaroos at Optus Stadium on Sunday in what is a crucial clash for both team’s top-eight aspirations. 

The Kangaroos have played well above their pre-season expectations and sit seventh with five wins from nine rounds following their 43-point defeat of GWS in Hobart.

Fremantle are 12th with four wins for the season, all coming against interstate teams at Optus Stadium.

As Fremantle look to address their winless record interstate, it remains crucial to continue to bank wins at home.

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“We’re playing well at Optus and it’s good for the fans to play well at the new stadium,” Ryan said.

“We’ve got a big challenge again this week with North Melbourne, which we’re looking forward to.

“We haven’t been too good away from home but we’re a young group trying to improve every week and, hopefully, the away wins come along soon.”

Ryan said he remains hopeful that fellow defender Joel Hamling will recover from a concussion sustained against the Swans with North’s Ben Brown looming large. 

Brown currently leads the Coleman with 31 goals from nine rounds following his haul of five against the Giants.

“(If Hamling doesn’t play), we’ve got a few players playing WAFL that can stand up and take Joel’s spot,” Ryan said.

“But our priority is to get Joel up and ready for this week.

“(Brown’s) playing really well, he really kicks the ball well and he’s got a good set of hands. We’ll study him and hopefully he won’t kick many goals this week.”