North Melbourne v GWS Giants
Sunday, June 16 - 3.20pm
Blundstone Arena
Form
Last five: North Melbourne (3-2), GWS (3-2)
GWS has been one of the best teams in the AFL this season, deservedly sitting third on the ladder after the first 12 weeks of the season.
North Melbourne has been steadily improving over the last month of football and looks more than capable of mounting a top eight challenge.
The Giants are coming off of a surprise 21-point defeat to an Adelaide side that didn’t let them play their best footy, and will be looking to get back on track in Tasmania.
North is coming off three straight wins and a comfortable 27-point victory against the Gold Coast last week.
The Roos will hope their last three wins set the tone for an upset against the Giants, a feat they achieved last time around.
Last time we met
The last encounter in round nine of 2018 resulted in a 43-point North win at Blundstone Arena.
Shaun Higgins was among the best for North, amassing 28 disposals, but will be missing come Sunday due to an AC joint injury.
Ben Brown and Jarrad Waite kicked nine goals between them, and while Waite won't be there this time around, the likes of Mason Wood and Nick Larkey have hit the scoreboard this year.
Former Giant, now Bomber Dylan Shiel led the way for the Giants, recording 24 disposals and a game-high 12 tackles.
GWS was missing a number of key players for this game, including Phil Davis, Brett Deledio and Josh Kelly.
Key matchup
Jed Anderson vs Jacob Hopper
Although these two might not be direct opponents for much of this game, they could define the midfield clash.
Hopper is GWS’ midfield bull, and leads the team in both clearances and contested possessions.
Hopper’s inside work often allows the likes of Lachie Whitfield and Steven Coniglio to have a greater impact on the game.
Anderson, on the other hand, is second in contested possessions and leads all other North players in tackles per game.
The number three is an often underrated cog in the Roos' midfield.
Expect these two to be first on the scene for every loose ball, and at the bottom of the pack for most of the game.
Whoever is tidier and more effective under pressure could give their team the boost they need.
It’s won and lost in…
The ruck
Shane Mumford and Todd Goldstein are two of the premier ruckmen in the competition, and with both midfields stacked with talent, providing the most effective service will be key.
Mumford has been solid in his return to footy at the Giants, and has been a more than difficult opponent to the likes of Riley O’Brien, Max Gawn and Jarrod Witts in recent weeks.
The Giant is known for his strength and attack on the ball, and Goldstein will need to be ready for a physical battle on the weekend.
For North, the number 22 has enjoyed something of a return to his All-Australian form of 2015.
Not just a pure tap ruckman, Goldstein has showcased his ability to be an effective user of the football in recent weeks, registering at least 20 disposals in two of his last three games.
It looms as an intriguing battle.
Keep an eye on…
Ben Cunnington and Heath Shaw
Cunnington will play his 200th game against the Giants, and finally seems to be receiving the plaudits that he deserves.
Currently third in the AFLCA Player of the Year voting, he's often gone under the radar, getting the hard ball and winning the contested possession count.
Conversely, Heath Shaw has been one of the game's premier defenders for a number of years now, but this match offers something out of the ordinary.
It will be the first time that he has gone up against his brother Rhyce as head coach.
Heath admitted during that the brothers often bounce ideas off of each other, so it adds a different and exciting element to what is sure to be a great game of footy.
