North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley has issued a call to arms to Kangaroos' supporters for Saturday's clash with Melbourne at the MCG.

The match was originally scheduled to be played at Carrara but after the Kangaroos turned their back on a relocation offer to the Gold Coast, the AFL transferred the game to Melbourne.

Laidley said a sizeable crowd would send a message to the AFL administration that the Kangaroos can survive in Melbourne.

"It's enormous for our footy club," Laidley said.

"We want to get 30-40,000 people there and show the AFL and the public in general we're here to stay."

The Kangaroos will play three of their home games in Queensland this season, to fulfil their contractual obligations with the league.

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