Kangaroos v Bulldogs - Round 13: Sides clash at Wolseley Oval on Saturday | AFL North West

With three matches remaining before the finals, the Roos co-coach has warned his charges that spots are on the line.

He said "a few of the young fellas" started the season "really well" and he wanted them to recapture that form.

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"I guess we expected a hell of a lot from them for the first few weeks [of the season] and they've dropped a little bit," he said.

"So we put a little bit of pressure on those guys, to say, 'Lift and find a bit of form before finals.'"

Mitchell said all the players had been told "you've gotta earn your spot now" with the finals looming.

"When you're young," he said, "you play a little bit of inconsistent footy.

"Your good's really good, and then you have days when you don't even look like you're out there.

"It's about finding that consistency, but also getting that experience as well."

Billy Tydd was one player who had been consistent, Mitchell said.

Tydd "has been playing really good footy", he added.

The first-placed Roos are coming off a 97-87 away loss to New England.

While the fourth-placed Bulldogs have beaten New England and the third-placed Swans in their past two outings.

The reigning two-time premiers' form spike has added an extra dimension to what was an already intriguing competition - with no side yet to stake a claim as premiership favourites.

Mitchell said the Roos were "looking pretty good" heading into Saturday's clash.

Gunnedah, he continued, are "flying".

"They're coming home strong and they're putting in some really good performances together," he said.

"They really tested us in Gunnedah last time, and I expect nothing less tomorrow [Saturday]."

He added: "You don't want to have back-to-back losses at this end of the season."

The Roos beat Gunnedah by 22 points on June 26.

It was the Bulldogs' last loss.

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