North Melbourne will continue its hunt for a first win in 2024 when its hosts fellow winless side Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
The Roos are coming off a heavy Round 5 loss to the Cats, while the Hawks will want to respond with a positive performance following their defeat to the Suns on the Gold Coast.
Round 6, North Melbourne v Hawthorn
Where: Marvel Stadium, Docklands, VIC
When: Sunday, April 21 at 4.05pm AEST
How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo Sports
The opposition
In the same boat as the Roos, the Hawks are yet to taste success this season. They came close to knocking off the Pies in Round 4, going down by just five points after a spirited comeback fell short at Adelaide Oval.
They couldn’t quite bring the same intensity the following week, going down to the Suns by 53 points in a one-sided affair at People First Stadium.
Karl Amon has been a consistent performer for Hawthorn this season and will be a key figure off half-back and through the wings for the visitors, while Finn Maginness will be another to watch, after he was moved forward and kicked three goals against Gold Coast.
What the coaches have said
North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson, post-game v Geelong: "They (the Cats) were bigger, stronger, and more polished around congestion, and they had 'Hawk' (Tom Hawkins) and 'Danger' (Patrick Dangerfield) out of their side that would’ve helped them in that space, too. We know where we're at as a footy side. (Our) endeavour was strong and we tried hard. We were just outmuscled."
Hawthorn senior coach Sam Mitchell, post-game v Gold Coast: "We should be well past games like that. We lost every aspect of that game. We lost the midfield battle, we couldn't win a contest in front of the ball, we couldn’t stop them scoring at the other end. There wasn’t a single aspect that went in our favour.
Running hot
Harry Sheezel
The 2023 Rising Star was again a shining light on a rough day for the Kangas last weekend.
In a valiant effort, Sheezel clocked 30+ disposals for the fifth time this season. He finished with 38 touches, 15 marks, and 525 metres gained in the defeat to Geelong. The second-year Roo now leads the competition in total disposals (172) and disposals per game (34.4).
Fans also got more glimpses of what Sheezel can do with possession in areas closer to goal as he set up two majors and kicked one of his own.
Milestone watch
Sunday afternoon will mark the 100th time Nick Larkey has run out as a Kangaroo.
The sharpshooting key forward was taken by the club with the 73rd pick of the 2016 draft, and after appearing just twice in his first two years on the list, he's grown to become one of the club's most important figures.
He's kicked 10 goals so far this season and will be out to continue his goalkicking streak when he lines up against the Hawks.
