The opposition
Coach: Wayne Siekman
Captain: Steph Chiocci
Last year's finish: Sixth
2018 Best and Fairest: Chloe Molloy
The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos will look to strengthen their grip on a potential home preliminary final with a win against Collingwood on Saturday.
Four Roos will face their former side as Jess Duffin, Jasmine Garner, Mo Hope and Emma King take on the Magpies for the first time since switching to Arden Street.
Collingwood will enter the twilight game determined to break their winless run, with an opportunity to perform on the big stage providing further incentive.
Key match-ups
Collingwood’s hopes of derailing the Roos will hinge heavily on the scoring capabilities of forward duo Katie Lynch and Jordan Membrey.
With the Pies struggling for proven goalkickers in 2019, the pair’s ability to damage the scoreboard could be vital at Marvel Stadium.
Lynch will be matched up on by Jess Trend or Jas Grierson, with the former managing an ankle complaint to hold her place in North’s defensive structure.
Meanwhile, in-form defender Tahlia Randall will likely be tasked with the assignment of handling Membrey, who has the potential to score from several areas within the forward 50.
Having tallied more possessions than any other player at Avalon Airport Oval last weekend, North captain Emma Kearney will go head-to-head with Jaimee Lambert, who is an ever-present threat for Collingwood.
The 26-year-old, who averages 15 disposals in 2019, highlighted her worth to the Pies with an authoritative display against Carlton, which included a valuable goal last weekend.
A potential meeting that could produce fireworks is one between North’s Garner and Pies defender Ash Brazill, given their familiarity with each other.
Who to look out for
After showing promise in their build-up to the season and subsequent performances on the track since, Daria Bannister and Taylor Mesiti will run out for their club debuts.
It’s been a long road back to the highest level for Bannister, who was selected with pick 19 in the 2017 draft, after rupturing her left ACL last year’s season-opener.
The Tasmanian, who provides the flexibility to fill multiple roles, could be used in North’s engine room, while also having the capacity to play forward.
Open age recruit Mesiti will have plans to impact the game in the air, after catching the attention of the coaching staff with her aerial talents and strong marking.
