WHO: North Melbourne v Hawthorn
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday, August 13, 2.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Broadcast guide
TICKETS: Purchase tickets

THE LAST FIVE

R13, 2016, Hawthorn 14.9 (93) d North Melbourne 11.18 (84) at Etihad Stadium
R5, 2015, Hawthorn 19.16 (130) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70) at Etihad Stadium
R16, 2014, North Melbourne 16.12 (108) d Hawthorn 13.10 (88) at Etihad Stadium
R22, 2013, Hawthorn 17.15 (117) d North Melbourne 15.13 (103) at Etihad Stadium
R5, 2013, Hawthorn 14.15 (99) d North Melbourne 13.18 (96) at the MCG

SUMMARY (AFL.COM.AU)

This is a massive game for the Hawks as they look to bounce back from last week's surprise loss to Melbourne. Win and they stay a game clear on top; lose and fifth place beckons and their hopes of getting back into the top four would appear slim.

So expect a ferocious response against a side there has been plenty of niggle with in the past.

The Kangas enjoy serving it up to Hawthorn and they also need a win to book their finals berth once and for all. Their form line against top-eight sides has been lousy all year, but a win here would re-establish their credentials as a finals contender.

Robin Nahas returns for his eighth game of the season.

THE HEADLINES

The cut and thrust
Jamie Macmillan has opened up about being pinged for holding the ball in the tense final minute in round 13… MORE

Opposing Threat: Hawthorn
On Saturday, Hawthorn will be missing arguably its best player from the last time it faced North, James Sicily… MORE

ET: Hostile reception
Hawks star Jordan Lewis says his side is expecting North Melbourne to be aggressive from the outset this Saturday… MORE

TEAMS

North Melbourne

Backs S.Thompson 16 M.Firrito 11 S.Atley 18
Half Backs J.Macmillan 34 R.Tarrant 25 N.Dal Santo 15
Centreline S.Gibson 43 T.Dumont 14 D.Wells 8
Half Forwards B.Harvey 29 B.Brown 50 J.Ziebell 7
Forwards L.Thomas 12 D.Petrie 20 M.Daw 38
Followers T.Goldstein 22 B.Cunnington 10 A.Swallow 9
Interchange J.Anderson 3 L.Hansen 6 A.Mullett 17 R.Nahas 28
Emergencies B.McKenzie 2 R.Clarke 13 C.Wagner 41

In: L.Hansen , R.Nahas
Out: B.McKenzie (Omitted), R.Clarke (Rested)

Hawthorn

Backs T.Duryea 8 J.Frawley 12 S.Burgoyne 9
Half Backs S.Mitchell 5 J.Gibson 6 G.Birchall 14
Centreline I.Smith 16 L.Shiels 26 B.Hill 10
Half Forwards L.Breust 22 J.Gunston 19 C.Rioli 33
Forwards P.Puopolo 28 B.McEvoy 7 R.Burton 35
Followers J.Ceglar 18 J.Lewis 3 L.Hodge 15
Interchange K.Brand 30 B.Whitecross 11 B.Hartung 4 W.Langford 29
Emergencies K.Heatherley 34 A.Litherland 17 J.O'Rourke 13

In: J.Frawley, P.Puopolo, L.Shiels, B.Hartung, R.Burton
Out: B.Stratton (Pectoral Strain), J.O'Rourke (Omitted), T.O'Brien (Omitted), K.Heatherley (Omitted), J.Sicily (Suspension)

Lindsay Thomas kicked three goals when the teams last met.

THE COACH SAID - BRAD SCOTT

"The important thing is we've got our mind in the right place, and that is to be really aggressive at the contest and take that confrontational attitude into the game.

"But we also conceded too many free kicks last time. We conceded, I think, four of their first five goals through free kicks.

"So we'd like to avoid that and still have a confrontational approach."

THE OPPOSITION SAID - JORDAN LEWIS

“They (the Kangaroos) like to try and get under our skin.

“They know we’ve got dangerous players up forward and they try and rattle them.

“I would imagine they’d come out and try that again so we’ll have to be ready for it.”

THE FIVE STATS (AFL.com.au)

1. In round 13, the Kangaroos had 70 more disposals, took 15 more marks, had six more scoring shots and took the ball inside 50 seven more times but Hawthorn still won. Sicily kicked five goals for the Hawks.

2. If the Hawks lose it will be the first time since early in 2014 they will have lost consecutive games and the first time since early in 2010 they will have lost back-to-back games at the MCG.

3. Hawthorn has dominated North recently, winning six of the past seven matches. Four games since 2011 have been decided by less than three goals.

4. One advantage for the Kangaroos might be centre clearances, ranked equal third with 13.5 per game. Hawthorn is equal eighth with an average of 12.9.

5. North ruckman Todd Goldstein has 595.6 Schick AFL Player Ratings points and is ranked No.5 in the AFL.

Players tussle during the Round 13 clash.

THE BURNING QUESTIONS

Will North bring the agro again?
The Round 13 clash was full of nasty clashes and North made its intentions clear from the outset.

Michael Firrito was one of the main instigators as the Roos gave the Hawks a taste of their own medicine.

Hawthorn ultimately prevailed in one of the most exciting matches of the year and just eight weeks on, it will be interesting to see if the gloves come off again.

Will the Hawks benefit from the 'G?
Hawthorn has had eight games at the home of football this year, while North is yet to play there.

But that won't intimidate the visting side. In fact, Brad Scott's team has won five of its last six at the ground, including three finals.

With another potential September campaign ahead, any exposure at the ground will only benefit the Roos.

A question of accuracy?
It was the one that slipped away. The last time the Roos faced the Hawks, they kicked themselves out of the match with a dismal goal-kicking display.

North kicked 11.18 and allowed the Hawks to stay in touch throughout the night.

Have the boys from Arden Street done enough work in front of the big sticks to ensure a repeat doesn’t occur?

Hansen forward, Hansen back?
Having played at either of the ground in the VFL, it will be intriguing to see where Lachlan Hansen lines up in his first game back from a long spell.

With Jarrad Waite out of the side, Majak Daw has played as the Roos' third key-forward, but the big man had little impact in attack when the teams last met.

Daw was a strong performer as an extra midfielder last time around, and could look to play a similar role, potentially opening the door for another tall in attack.

However, Hansen has played the sweeping role to perfection in the past, and against a dangerous Hawks' forward line, he'd be handy in that role too.

Lachlan Hansen will play just his second AFL game of 2016.