It is the only time the sides will face each other for 2013.
Teams
North Melbourne
B: Lachlan Hansen, Scott Thompson, Cam Delaney
HB: Aaron Mullett, Nathan Grima, Taylor Hine
C: Daniel Wells, Sam Gibson, Shaun Atley
HF: Ben Cunnington, Drew Petrie, Brent Harvey
F: Aaron Black, Robbie Tarrant, Lindsay Thomas
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
Int: Brad McKenzie, Ryan Bastinac, Leigh Adams, Jamie Macmillan
Emer: Ben Jacobs, Luke Delaney, Sam Wright
In: Cam Delaney
Out: Scott McMahon (omitted)
Melbourne
B: Lynden Dunn, Cam Pedersen, Dean Terlich
HB: Tom McDonald, James Frawley, Mitchell Clisby
C: Jack Viney, Jack Trengove, Jack Grimes
HF: Shannon Byrnes, Jack Watts, Jeremy Howe
F: Aaron Davey, Chris Dawes, Jack Fitzpatrick
Fol: Max Gawn, Colin Sylvia, Nathan Jones
Int: Matt Jones, Dean Kent, Sam Blease, Jimmy Toumpas
Emer: Daniel Nicholson, Luke Tapscott, Jake Spencer
In: Cam Pedersen
Out: Colin Garland (ankle)
Form players
North Melbourne
Lindsay Thomas
Returning from a two-game suspension against Carlton, Thomas picked up where he left off, kicking six goals against the Blues to take his season tally to 45.
Only needing four more goals to reach 200 for his career, Thomas has already reached a season high and sits in equal fourth on the Coleman Medal ladder.
Thomas has kicked 14 career goals against Melbourne in eight outings, only behind Carlton (25) and Collingwood (17) for his most successful opponents.
Jack Fitzpatrick
Standing at 200cm, the key forward didn’t get much of a look in during his first two seasons at the club, but has played the last seven games for the Demons in 2013.
With 10 goals in his last five games, Fitzpatrick is providing an able foil for Jack Watts and Chris Dawes in the Melbourne forward line. He is also able to give Max Gawn a rest in the ruck, spending periods of time there throughout a game.
Leaning on experience
North Melbourne
After Zach Tuohy’s goal put Carlton almost five goals up in the last quarter against North, Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie and Daniel Wells were three catalysts of the furious comeback which fell just short.
While Brad Scott and the coaching staff would have preferred the younger players in the side to step up to the extent the senior trio did, it is at the very least an enthusing sign that the experienced players can lead the side back when needed.
Against the Demons it will be expected that the younger players lead the way.
Melbourne
Nathan Jones and Colin Sylvia have been Melbourne’s two leading ball winners under Neil Craig. Both averaging at least 22 disposals a game, they provide the Demons with a solid midfield core for the younger players to work around.
Sylvia is the flashier of the two while Jones can be marked down for the same effort week after week. In North’s convincing win over the Demons in 2012, Jones acquitted himself well enough to poll one Brownlow vote.
Where it will be won
North Melbourne
North’s comeback against Carlton started at the defensive end, able to repel waves of Blues’ attacks. Similar effort will be needed against the Demons, who will be a more confident side than the one they were before Neil Craig took over the helm.
A defensive performance similar to the one against Richmond in Round 15 should be the aim.
Melbourne
In Melbourne’s losses to North, the common theme has been failing to control the tempo of the game through the middle. Jones and Sylvia will be crucial to attempting to stem the flow, but the younger players will also have to play their part.
Key players
North Melbourne
Todd Goldstein
After focus was shone on Goldstein’s on-field role, the eyes of many will be on the ruckman to see how he finishes this game.
Half of Goldstein’s 14 Brownlow votes have come against the Demons, suggesting they are a side the number 22 likes to play. He is yet to lose to them in six matches.
Melbourne
Jack Watts
Rejuvenated in the last month, Watts is in some of the best form of his career. Allowed to settle down forward, Watts provides a dual threat both in the air and on the ground.
On paper North has a multitude of options to throw at Watts, with any of Thompson, Grima, Delaney or Hansen capable of marking him. However it’s Watts’ versatility that is his main weapon and something all the Roos’ defenders must be wary of.
