North Melbourne will have another tough task on its hands when it meets in-form Geelong at GMHBA Stadium in Round 5.
The Kangaroos are yet to get off the mark in 2024 following a heavy loss to the Lions last week, while the Cats continued to impress, downing the Bulldogs to remain undefeated.
Round 5, Geelong v North Melbourne
Where: GMHBA Stadium, Geelong, VIC
When: Sunday, April 14 at 1pm AEST
How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo Sports
The opposition
The Cats are yet to be toppled this season and will return to their home deck after holding off a spirited Western Bulldogs side in Round 4 at the Adelaide Oval.
As a team, Geelong has been consistent in applying pressure across the season's opening month, ranking second in the competition for tackles per game (69.5)
After being named as an All-Australian in 2023, Gryan Miers continues to be dangerous in his role at half-forward. The No.32 is averaging seven score involvements and 1.5 goal assists per game this year and is one of the AFL's most effective kicks entering forward 50.
Christ Scott's team has won each of the past 11 match-ups against the Kangaroos, with North Melbourne's last win over the hoops coming back in 2015.
What the coaches have said
North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson, post-game v Brisbane: "We know we've got to put in the time and the hard yards and not lose faith. That's what was pleasing in the second half, we reset ourselves and made it much more of a contest."
Geelong senior coach Chris Scott post-game v Western Bulldogs: "We've gone in (to this season) optimistic based on our preparation and we'd like to have (Cam) Guthrie and (Patrick) Dangerfield in there. It hasn’t surprised me (starting 4-0) but it was hard to predict how well the combination of Jhye Clark, Tanner Bruhn, Jack Bowes, and Ollie Dempsey would go."
Running hot
Charlie Comben
In his first AFL game since Round 7, 2023, Comben was North Melbourne's best afield against Brisbane.
It was also the 22-year-old's first game at the level playing as a key defender, and he quickly showed his capability in the position, tallying 25 disposals, eight marks, and a game-high 13 intercept possessions.
This week poses another stern challenge for him, with seasoned forwards Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron and talented youngster Ollie Henry lying in wait.
Milestone watch
Kangaroos midfielder Tom Powell is expected to run out for his 50th AFL game on Sunday, joining teammate Cam Zurhaar (103 games and counting) in reaching key milestones so far this season.
Selected with the 13th pick back in the 2020 National Draft, Powell has begun 2024 in strong fashion. He averaged 27.6 disposals across the first three rounds, before laying 15 tackles against the Lions last week.
His emergence has added another dynamic to North Melbourne's midfield, and he now looks to be a staple of the club's growing onball brigade.
