Patersons Stadium
Sunday September 9, 1.15pm WST/3.15pm EST
North Melbourne will play its first final for four years on Sunday afternoon at Patersons Stadium.
Facing off
North and West Coast went head-to-head twice in the home and away season with both results going the way of the Eagles.
In Round 6 the Kangaroos travelled to Patersons Stadium and attempted to take on the home side by playing a counter-attacking style with more of a focus on kicking rather than handballing.
It was close for three quarters before the weight of inside 50's finally took a toll on the North defence and the Eagles ran away with the game in a final term burst.
The next meeting in Hobart in Round 15 was a much different story. Playing at its new 'home away from home' at Blundstone Arena, North jumped the Eagles and led by 27-points at half time.
But a super performance by Dean Cox got the visitors back in the game and they eventually triumphed by two-points in a quality encounter.
Who's Hot
Scott Thompson
Against a plucky Giants’ side, Thompson was forced to stand up in the back half. The end result was a career high 39 possessions, clearly bettering his previous high of 30.
Thompson has a variety of potential forwards to match up on. Depending on the availability of Nathan Grima and how that effects the defensive structure, Thompson could find himself on either Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling or even Nic Naitanui.
Will Schofield
A look at Schofield's stat sheet from Friday night's game against Hawthorn doesn't explain how impressive he was, particularly in the third quarter.
At 196cm, Schofield can play forward and back and it was on display at the MCG. He's kicked goals in each of the last two weeks despite starting in the defensive half. His attack on the ball was also a feature as he almost single handedly kept the Eagles in the game.
Young Gun
Aaron Mullett
Given a chance against Greater Western Sydney after the late withdrawal of Sam Wright, Mullett collected 26 possessions at 85 per cent efficiency playing off half-back.
It remains to be seen whether it was enough to earn a spot in his first final with Wright, Daniel Wells and possibly Grima to return.
Andrew Gaff
Matt Rosa will be unavailable after suffering a fractured collarbone against Collingwood in Round 22. It means more responsibility falls on the shoulder of the second-year outside midfielder.
While he didn't have a top match against the Hawks, Gaff's record at Patersons Stadium is quality. He averages more than 18 kicks a game in West Coast's last seven home games and is used as a line-breaker on the open spaces.
X-Factor
Ben Cunnington
Cunnington perhaps isn't the first person who would be associated with the term 'x-factor', yet his form in the lead up to Sunday has been stellar. He capped it off with 33 possessions against the Giants, 19 contested.
His hands in close can break congestion open at stoppages and with an average of seven clearances a game over the last month, the most in the team, he'll be a vital part in the middle of the ground.
Nic Naitanui
Given Dean Cox's form against North Melbourne in the ruck previously, it seems a safe assumption he'll spend the majority of time there again on Sunday. This leaves Naitanui free to play more of a roaming role.
Whether it be in the forward 50 or in the centre, Naitanui's athleticism is unmatched by anyone in the competition. North has done well to keep him quiet in previous meetings and will have to do so again to have a chance of escaping Patersons Stadium with its finals charge still alive.
Missing in action
North Melbourne
Lachlan Hansen (Knock to head) - test
Cam Pedersen (Ankle) - test
Levi Greenwood (Foot) - test
Daniel Wells (Calf) - test
Nathan Grima (Hamstring tendonitis) - test
Sam Wright (knee) - test
Leigh Adams (Shoulder) - season
Hamish McIntosh (Knee) - season
Tom Curran (Foot) - season
West Coast
Josh Kennedy (Ankle) - Test
Mark LeCras (Knee) - Season
Eric Mackenzie (Hamstring) - Test
Mark Nicoski (Hamstring) - Season
Matt Rosa (Collarbone) - Test
Brad Sheppard (Ankle) - Season
Koby Stevens (Knee) - Test
Blayne Wilson (Ankle) - Season
