North will host West Coast at its second home in Hobart for one of the matches of the round.
1. Form
North Melbourne
Round 14: Defeated St Kilda by 33 points; 21.10.136 to 15.13.103
Round 13: Defeated Adelaide by 32 points; 17.19.121 to 13.11.89
Round 12: Defeated Gold Coast by 7 points; 11.21.87 to 12.8.80
Season: 7-6, 8th, 105.24%
West Coast
Round 14: Defeated Gold Coast by 126 points; 25.16.166 to 5.10.40
Round 13: Lost to Collingwood by 3 points; 12.10.82 to 12.13.85
Round 12: Defeated Carlton by 10 points; 10.19.79 to 10.9.69
Season: 10-3, 3rd, 143.12%
2. New territory
North Melbourne
In Brad Scott's tenure at Aegis Park, North Melbourne has never been in the eight this deep into a season. Sunday's win over St Kilda afforded it the opportunity to keep its finals hopes alive and if the Roos happen to make it, they’ll play in their first one since the Elimination Final defeat to Sydney in 2008.
However in a season which has been topsy-turvy, it remains to be seen how the playing group responds to the pressure and expectation.
West Coast
The Eagles have never played at Blundstone Arena. While they're not alone, it does leave them slightly disadvantaged compared to the home team. The conditions in Hobart are also likely far from what they’re used to in Perth, meaning further acclimatisation could be required.
3. Who's hot
North Melbourne
Daniel Wells
Receiving recognition for a recent burst of red-hot form, Wells' last quarter against St Kilda was a crucial part in enabling North to break the game open. In a recent press conference, Brent Harvey said of Wells, 'there's probably not a harder trainer at the club', and this work ethic is reaping the rewards.
West Coast
Luke Shuey
John Worsfold has experimented slightly with playing positions in recent weeks and one beneficiary has been Shuey. Spending more time in the middle than normal against Gold Coast, he collected 32 possessions and kicked 3 goals to be one of the best-on-ground.
In Round 6 he was one of West Coast's best with 20 possessions, 7 tackles, 2 goals and 4 frees.
4. Under the radar
North Melbourne
Jack Ziebell
Ziebell's effect on the team is often not measured on the scoreboard or stat sheet. Averaging just under 20 possessions a game in the last three wins, teammates often walk taller with him around the stoppages. Desperation plays at crucial times often come from Ziebell and it lifts the team to another level with his ability to put his body on the line time after time.
West Coast
Matt Rosa
A fixture of the Eagles side, Rosa can be counted on to perform his role every single week. While other members of the midfield gain more attention, Rosa has collected 22 disposals or more in 9 of his 12 games this season. Much like Shuey, in Round 6 he was one of West Coast's best with 24 disposals and even a goal; one of only two this season.
5. Rekindling a rivalry
In the 1990's, North Melbourne and West Coast enjoyed a fierce rivalry centered around Wayne Carey and Glen Jakovich. One could argue the teams were the best of the 90's even though they only met in two finals: an Elimination Final in 1993 and a Semi Final in 1995.
Some two decades later, it appears feelings are heating up again. Following the Round 6 clash, a media storm erupted over West Coast players ducking into tackles. It won the free-kick count on the day 29-15. While the Eagles are currently one of the competition's best teams, it is a position that North is aiming to get to in the near-future.
Another heated encounter on Saturday could kick the modern-day rivalry into high gear.
