WHO: North Melbourne v Collingwood
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Friday, July 22, 7.50pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Broadcast guide
TICKETS: Purchase tickets
THE LAST FIVE
R9, 2015, Collingwood 17.10 (112) d North Melbourne 14.11 (95) at the MCG
R5, 2014, Collingwood 13.15 (93) d North Melbourne 8.10 (58) at the MCG
R23, 2013, North Melbourne 19.11 (125) d Collingwood 17.12 (114) at the MCG
R1, 2013, Collingwood 15.13 (103) d North Melbourne 13.9 (87) at Etihad Stadium
R21, 2012, North Melbourne 13.13 (91) d Collingwood 8.13 (61) at Etihad Stadium
SUMMARY (AFL.COM.AU)
The first Friday night clash between these two clubs in more than seven years promises to be a no-holds-barred affair with both teams having much to prove.
North Melbourne has suffered a stunning fall from grace, slipping from 9-0 and two games clear at the top of the ladder to battling to hold onto its spot in the eight after losing six of its past seven games, including the past five in succession.
In contrast, the Pies have put together some good football on the road of late, trouncing Greater Western Sydney before challenging flag contender Adelaide for three quarters.
The Pies are still a mathematical, though highly unlikely, chance to qualify for September and will fancy their chances of maintaining that sense of hope for at least another week.
Brent Harvey will play his record-equalling 426th game on Friday night.
THE HEADLINES
ET: Magpies' final fling
Collingwood is setting itself for a finals-like atmosphere when it takes on North… MORE
Opposing Threat: Collingwood
While Collingwood currently sits outside the eight, North Melbourne must be wary… MORE
On track to bounce back
North captain Andrew Swallow says his side is confident it can turn around its current run of form… MORE
TEAMS
North Melbourne
B Scott D. Thompson, Michael Firrito, Shaun Atley
HB Brad McKenzie, Robbie Tarrant, Jamie Macmillan
C Sam Gibson, Daniel Wells, Nick Dal Santo
HF Jed Anderson, Ben Brown, Jack Ziebell
F Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Brent Harvey
Fol Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Andrew Swallow
I/C Ryan Clarke, Trent Dumont, Aaron Mullett, Majak Daw
Emg Ed Vickers-Willis, Joel Tippett, Corey Wagner
In: Trent Dumont, Majak Daw
Out: Jarrad Waite (Hip), Corey Wagner (Omitted)
Collingwood
B Jonathon Marsh, Nathan J. Brown, Jeremy Howe
HB Taylor Adams, Ben Reid, Ben Sinclair
C Steele Sidebottom, Adam Treloar, James Aish
HF Alex Fasolo, Travis Cloke, Travis Varcoe
F Darcy Moore, Jesse White, Jarryd Blair
Fol Brodie Grundy, Scott Pendlebury, Jack Crisp
I/C Levi Greenwood, Marley Williams, Brayden Maynard, Josh Smith
Emg Jordan De Goey, Tyson Goldsack, Mason Cox
In: Alex Fasolo, Marley Williams
Out: Brent Macaffer (Omitted), Jordan De Goey (Omitted)
Trent Dumont returns to the North midfield after his omission last week.
THE COACH SAID - BRAD SCOTT
"One thing I know is you don't lose your ability overnight (and) you certainly don't lose it in a month-long period. We've just got to get back to taking the game on and doing what we do well, and it'll turn."
THE OPPOSITION SAID - NATHAN BUCKLEY
"We're really content to put our reputations (on the line) and stake our claims in regard to that, so if you want to see a finals-type game then I reckon you should come along on Friday night."
THE SIX STATS (AFL.com.au)
1. These teams last met way back in round nine, 2015, when Collingwood famously won by 17 points after trailing by 39 points at half-time. The Pies' matchwinners were Jamie Elliott (five goals) and Dane Swan (32 disposals and two goals), both of whom are now sidelined.
2. Collingwood has won three of its past four games against North and six of eight since 2010.
3. The teams will clash for the 158th time, with the Magpies leading 105-50. There have also been two draws.
4. In head-to-head contests at Etihad Stadium, the Pies also lead comfortably – 8-4, after winning three of their past four clashes there.
5. This will be Collingwood's first game at Etihad Stadium this season and they've lost their past four matches there, while North is playing its 10th game at Docklands for 2016, winning its first six but losing the past three.
6. Pies midfielder Jack Crisp has broken into the top 80 in the Official AFL Player Ratings, reaching a personal-best No.79. The former Lion's ranking continues to rise after joining the Pies when ranked No.530 at the end of 2014.
Jack Crisp is vital to the Magpies' run and drive.
THE BURNING QUESTIONS
Who will burst out of the blocks?
Poor starts from both North and Collingwood last week proved costly.
The Roos had one less inside 50 in the first term against Port Adelaide (14-13) but was on the back foot at quarter-time after registering five behinds to Port's six goals.
Coach Brad Scott lamented his side's slow start and will be hoping his men are fully alert from the first bounce on Friday night.
Meanwhile, the Magpies gave away the first five goals to Adelaide and, like the Roos, couldn't peg back the margin.
The week prior against GWS, the Pies conceded seven goals to three to quarter-time, before clawing back the deficit to register their best win of 2016.
Will inaccuracy haunt Roos?
Bad kicking is bad football. It's an old saying but one that sums up North's game against Port Adelaide, and the third quarter was a case in point.
The Roos regained ascendancy after half-time despite trailing by 39 points, but their repeat forward 50 entries went unrewarded for five consecutive behinds – to Jarrad Waite, Drew Petrie, Sam Gibson, Ryan Clarke – before Ben Brown converted their first goal of the second half at the 13-minute mark.
North will be eager to assert scoreboard pressure against an improved Collingwood side.
Will Etihad factor favour North?
Although the contest is listed as a Collingwood home game, it's worth noting that the Magpies are yet to play at Etihad Stadium this season.
The clash is the first of three games the Pies have coming up at the Docklands venue, including matches against the Western Bulldogs (round 21) and Gold Coast (round 22).
Collingwood's last game at Etihad Stadium was against the Bulldogs in round 17 last year – nearly a year to the day.
The Roos, on the other hand, return to their favoured venue with a 6-3 win-loss record at the ground this season.
Will 'Boomer' play more midfield?
Several commentators have called on coach Brad Scott to take some risks at selection and make positional changes.
After spending a stint in the centre against the Power, Brent Harvey's name has been bandied about as a potential candidate to play more minutes in the midfield and generate speed.
The 38-year-old equals Michael Tuck's games record of 426 matches on Friday night and you can bet he won't stop running in whatever role he's assigned.
How will 'Goldy' fare?
The spotlight has been placed on Todd Goldstein following his mid-season form slump since picking up a right knee complaint against the Sydney Swans in round 10.
On Wednesday, coach Brad Scott backed the All Australian ruckman to return to being a damaging player, saying "his best form is just around the corner".
The 28-year-old was physically targeted by the Power before the first bounce in an effort to put him off his game, with their fill-in ruckman Jackson Trengove taking the honours around the ground.
Goldstein now faces Magpie Brodie Grundy, who is coming off 32 hit-outs, 23 touches and 10 marks against the Crows.
The 22-year-old has elevated his game to a whole new level this season, making this match-up one to watch closely.
Brad Scott says Todd Goldstein is not far from hitting his best form.
