Still without Jack Ziebell and Andrew Swallow, the Roos will head north of the border without arguably its two best contested ball winners in what will most likely be a tight, tough game.
Teams
North Melbourne
B: Aaron Mullett, Nathan Grima, Nick Dal Santo
HB: Shaun Atley, Scott Thompson, Levi Greenwood
C: Sam Gibson, Ryan Bastinac, Ben Jacobs
HF: Lindsay Thomas, Aaron Black, Ben Cunnington
F: Daniel Currie, Drew Petrie, Lachlan Hansen
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Daniel Wells, Brent Harvey
Int From: Brad McKenzie, Liam Anthony, Michael Firrito, Leigh Adams, Luke McDonald, Robbie Nahas, Joel Tippett
Sydney
B: Nick Smith, Ted Richards, Dane Rampe
HB: Nick Malceski, Heath Grundy, Rhyce Shaw
C: Lewis Jetta, Josh Kennedy, Daniel Hannebery
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Ben McGlynn
F: Tom Mitchell, Lance Franklin, Luke Parker
Fol: Myke Pyke, Jarrad McVeigh, Kieren Jack
Int From: Craig Bird, Harry Cunningham, Tom Derickx, Jeremy Laidler, Toby Nankervis, Gary Rohan, Dean Towers
Breaking the streak
In North’s win over Port Adelaide, it ticked off two items which it struggled with at times in 2013 – finishing strongly in the final term and winning a game by single digits.
On Sunday there could be three more ‘hoodoos’ to tick off. In the Swans, there is a side that North has not beaten since 2007. Eliminating expansion sides, the Roos have only won one away interstate game in the last three seasons, and the game day forecast also calls for rain.
A win at the SCG would tick off more supposed problem areas and leave North in great shape after the first month of the season. The Kangaroos have never won more than two of the first four games in a season under Brad Scott, traditionally stringing together good form towards the middle and back end of the home and away season.
Time-on scoring
After the first fortnight of the season, NMFC.com.au illustrated North’s proficiency in keeping sides quiet during time-on of final quarters. In a good sign, it actually extends to time-on of all quarters – North is the best defensive side in the competition after the 20 minute mark of terms.
On the other side of the equation, Sydney has conceded the third-most points in time-on of quarters; surprising for a side with such strong defensive structures most of the time.
On average, North concedes almost four goals less than Sydney in time-on of games in 2014 – perhaps a critical edge if Sunday’s match comes down to the wire.
| 2014 | Average points conceded in time-on of games |
| North Melbourne | 13 |
| Sydney | 33.7 |
| Differential | -20.7 |
Potential match-ups
Scott Thompson v Lance Franklin
Thompson held Franklin goalless the last time the two met at the MCG. While the former Hawk seems to have more of a licence to roam the field in the red and white, it doesn’t make him any less of a threat close to the big sticks. This could be the most important match-up on the ground.
Lindsay Thomas v Nick Smith
Thomas took the edge in the duo’s last outing, kicking three goals at Blundstone Arena early in 2013. However Smith has a case to be named as one of the most underrated small defenders in the competition, consistently doing his job from week to week.
Todd Goldstein/Daniel Currie v Mike Pyke/Tom Derickx
Preparing to play his third AFL game, Currie will face his old side for the first time. Clearly a popular man in his time at the Swans, the ruckman will be meeting familiar faces.
Great to see my old house mate Dan Currie debuting today for the @NorthKangaroos all the best mate #crusher #abesimpson
— Gary Rohan (@RohanGary) March 30, 2014A great achievement by Daniel Currie to make his debut today after 7 yrs of hard work. All the best Crush! #AFLDogsNorth #CrusherCurrie
— Ted Richards (@tedrichards25) March 30, 2014Looking ahead
After Sunday’s clash with the Swans, North has back-to-back six day breaks to deal with in facing Collingwood and Fremantle.
Following those two games, the Roos have a tricky encounter against Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium before the bye, with memories of last year’s loss undoubtedly fresh in their minds.
Meanwhile, Sydney has Fremantle, Hawthorn and Essendon still to face before its week off, making every game critical to set up the second half of the season.
The Swans haven’t lost more than three games in the first half of the year since 2010, meaning they’ll be in uncharted territory if North manages to take home the four points from the SCG.
