Round 23
North Melbourne v St Kilda
Sunday, August 26
Etihad Stadium
First bounce: 4.40pm (AEST)
Gates open: 3.00pm (AEST)

Storyline

Despite finals being an unlikely conclusion for both St Kilda and North Melbourne, Sunday’s clash remains very important for both sides heading into 2019.

For the Saints, they impressed on the big stage last weekend, losing to top-four aspirants Hawthorn by less than a goal despite being heavily undermanned.

As for the Roos, the four points would be a fitting end to what has been impressive season, and will provide a great confidence boost heading into the summer.

Youth

For North and St Kilda, the focus for much of the season has been on developing youth with each club’s focus firmly fixed on the future.

This goal has been evident by the opportunities both sides have provided to young, inexperienced players throughout the course of the year.

In 2018, St Kilda and North have rewarded seven and five players respectively with AFL debuts, in addition to Logan Austin (Port Adelaide) and Billy Hartung (Hawthorn) who made their first appearances for their new clubs.

Last weekend against the Hawks, the Saints played with nine players who have 50 or less games of experience at senior level.

Seven of the nine, including Bailey Rice (2), Lewis Pierce (3), Hugh Goddard (10) and Bailey Rice (10), have made less than 20 appearances.

It’s a similar story for North, which had five players in the 0-50 game bracket last weekend, however Will Walker (4) was the only Roo to have played less than 20 games.

Given the raw talent in both sides, anything’s possible this Sunday, and with many players at the start of their careers, this could be the beginning of a fascinating rivalry.

Coleman Medal race

Ben Brown has said that the Coleman Medal will be the last thing on his mind this Sunday, but regardless of if he’s not concerning himself with it or not, it’s almost a given that every North fan will.

Having led the competition for much of the season, Brown now finds himself two goals behind Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt whose tally sits at 60.

Brown’s recent record against the Saints would indicate he’s in for an impressive day, given the last time these two sides met in Round 2, the 25-year-old bagged six majors.

He’s also a fan of Round 23 as well, because in 2017 he slotted seven goals against the Lions.

The last time Brown met the Saints, the Tasmanian found himself on Nathan Brown, but given Saint is currently serving a three-week suspension, Jake Carlisle is likely to be the one tasked with restricting the dynamic forward. 

Recent form

Over the 93-year history that these two sides have faced off, the ledger sits at 78 wins each, as well as three draws.

However recently, it’s been North that has claimed the bragging rights, claiming the points in eight of the past ten encounters, dating back to Round 10, 2012.

It their most recent meeting, it was the Roos that were victorious, defeating the Saints by 52 points on Good Friday.

The Saints will no doubt be hoping end the Roos’ run.

St Kilda team

B: Jarryn Geary, Logan Austin, Bailey Rice
HB: Daniel McKenzie, Jake Carlisle, Jimmy Webster
C: Jack Newnes, Jack Steele, Jack Sinclair
HF: Jack Lonie, Tim Membrey, Jack Billings
F: Jade Gresham, Rowan Marshall, Ben Long
Foll: Lewis Pierce, Jack Steven, Sebastian Ross
I/C: Luke Dunstan, Blake Acres, Hunter Clark, Sam Gilbert, David Armitage, Hugh Goddard, Maverick Weller, Ben Paton

Burning questions

Who defends Jade Gresham?
North’s defence would have spent much of the week thinking about how to stop small forward Jade Gresham.

Gresham has averaged over 22 disposals and a goal per game in the past five matches, which may force Marley Williams to keep a close eye on him.

Will Jarrad Waite end on a high?
Sunday will be Jarrad Waite’s final game in the AFL, and if his 2018 form is anything to go by, he’ll be in great form.

The 35-year-old is averaging over two goals per game this season, and was influential in getting his side back in the game last weekend.

Can Majak keep his great form up?
Since Majak Daw transformed himself into a defender, he’s hit career-best form. He’ll be looking to continue this form in his 50th game, which has been a long time coming.