North Melbourne v Box Hill
Saturday, May 26
Avalon Airport Oval
First bounce: 2.10pm (AEST)
Storyline
North Melbourne’s VFL side will host third-placed Box Hill on Saturday afternoon at Avalon Airport Oval.
Fresh off a hard-fought win on the road, North is endeavoring to secure back-to-back victories for the first time in 2018 against a Hawks' outfit that has lost just once this season.
The Channel 7 televised game could prove to be a showcase of both teams' depth, with strong line-ups named for the Round 8 encounter.
Senior talent under spotlight
A host of AFL-listed talent will be on display at Avalon Airport Oval.
Although the squads will be finalised closer to the first bounce on Saturday morning, a combined 43 AFL-listed players have been named in the provisional squads selected by David Loader and Chris Newman.
North has retained consistent defensive unit Ben McKay, alongside in-form quartet Nathan Hrovat, Paul Ahern, Taylor Garner and Luke Davies-Uniacke, who are all on the cusp of senior footy.
Roaming midfielders Davies-Uniacke and Hrovat, who were at their rampant best against reigning VFL premiers Port Melbourne, will look to to boost their chances for senior selection with another impressive showing.
Meanwhile, Box Hill will have menacing attacking options Ryan Schoenmakers and Brendan Whitecross at its disposal. The duo combined for five goals last weekend against the Northern Blues.
Versatile recruit Dylan Moore and alternating ruck/forward threat Jon Ceglar could also prove to be problematic after their promising efforts against the Blues, booting one goal apiece.
After recording 28 hit-outs, a confident Ceglar will line up against Braydon Preuss, who continues to rank amongst the best rucks in the competition on a week-to-week basis.
Preuss tallied 39 hit-outs at North Port Oval and stood tall in the stoppages, providing coverage at key moments.
Contested marks
If the stats are anything to go by, the battle of contested marks may prove decisive for the chances of either side.
The Roos are ranked second for contested marks, bettered only by the Hawks.
Despite losing co-captain Michael Close, North remain strong in this area, with aerial dominance being a continued theme in recent weeks, particularly in the heart of the defensive and attacking thirds.
Key talls Tristan Xerri and Nick Larkey continued their rapid progression by converting the first three majors after taking contested grabs in last week’s thriller against Port Melbourne, allowing North to burst out of the blocks.
A repeat effort would significantly boost the hosts as North look to upset its second top-eight opponent in consecutive weeks.
On the back of an excellent defensive showing in and around the stoppages, North’s man management of Schoenmakers and Ceglar could be a notable narrative on Saturday afternoon.
Without leading goalkicker Mitch Lewis, who earned an AFL call-up following his 14 goals in the season proper, the Hawks could look to replicate the goal scoring spread from their 38-point win last Saturday, where they had 10 individual goal scorers.
Playing on the big stage
For the first time this season, the royal blue and white faithful will be able to see all the VFL action live on Channel 7.
The high-stakes game between the two in-form sides has been selected as part of the ‘Match of the Day’ broadcast, adding further incentive to perform with the extensive viewership.
Due to the strong AFL contingent offered by both North and Box Hill, the free-to-air coverage will provide a platform for North’s consistent performers in the VFL to be showcased across the state.
Box Hill team
B: Burton, Heatherley, Jones
HB: Glass, Mirra, Henderson
C: Langford, Lovell, Worpel
HF: Brand, Hanrahan, Howe
F: Ceglar, Schoenmakers, O’Brien
R: Pittonet, Cousins, Whitecross
Int: Adduci, Brolic, Evans, Hams, Lane, Miles, Moore, Murphy, Nash, O’Rourke, Ross, Willsmore
23P: McGannon
Burning questions
Will return to Werribee benefit North?
For the first time in four weeks, North will be boosted with the advantage of playing in the familiar surroundings at Avalon Airport Oval, where many of its players have spent plenty of time during the previous VFL affiliation with the Tigers.
North has had mixed results in its previous two showings at its temporary home ground, splitting results against Frankston and the Northern Blues.
The game provides North with the chance to win back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Can Nick Larkey continue his rich form?
With an abundance of talls at Loader’s disposal, the defensive duties for opposition sides has become an increasingly difficult and broad task.
The physicality and powerful presence of Xerri, Preuss and Close has allowed goal sneak Nick Larkey the freedom to roam within the forward 50.
North’s aerial dominance inside its attacking arc has allowed Larkey to rack up 14 goals this season, placing him just four majors shy of the top spot, presently held by Frankston’s Corey Rich.
Can North maintain midfield intensity?
The tackling intensity of North’s engine room continues to be a talking point.
Between Hrovat, Davies-Uniacke and Nash Holmes, the Roos boasted a daunting figure of 22 tackles laid across the middle of the ground.
If North’s midfield brigade can mirror its tenacious tackling efforts for a second week running, the explosive run and carry out of defence might again be on display.
Fans are invited to attend Saturday’s VFL match against Box Hill at Avalon Airport Oval, with the first bounce at 2.10pm. Entry to home games is free for NMFC members.
