Form
North Melbourne (7-11) v Hawthorn (8-10)
The Roos have had a tough few weeks, having lost their last three games, but could consider themselves unlucky to fall short in two of those.
The Hawks went down to the Lions last time out, but had won three in a row prior to that.
One win separates the two teams on the ladder, with Hawthorn sitting three places above North in 11th.
Last time we met
The teams last met in Round 3 this year, with the Hawks winning by 16 points.
North had the better of the first half, leading at the first two changes, but was overrun in the second half.
Shaun Higgins and Ben Cunnington put in big midfield performances, collecting 36 and 33 disposals respectively, but the Roos were unable to turn their disposal dominance into a win.
Luke Breust and Chad Wingard caused North’s backline plenty of problems, kicking 8 goals between them.
It’s won and lost in…
The forward line
The competition's seventh-most potent attack will take on the fifth-most stingy defence when the Roos meet the Hawks.
North Melbourne has been more free-scoring that its ladder position suggests in 2019, averaging 79 points per game.
Star man Ben Brown has led the way with 48 goals, the second-most in the competition, but has been supported by the emergence of the likes of Cam Zurhaar and Nick Larkey.
The Roos’ forwards will face a tough test against the Hawks, who have conceded the fifth-least points.
James Frawley’s spike in form has coincided with the Hawks’ rise up the ladder, and Brown won't face an easy task in beating him on Friday night.
High-flying James Sicily sits third in the competition for total marks, although only 19 per cent of these have come contested.
Key matchup
Todd Goldstein v Ben McEvoy
The two veteran ruckmen have had a renaissance in 2019, and have been among their respective team's best players for the season.
Goldstein has played every game so far in 2019, and is ranked as the eighth best player in the AFL Player Ratings.
North’s number 22 is enjoying his best season since his All-Australian nod in 2015 and has recorded career-best numbers for disposals (16.2) and clearances (3.6), as well as ranking fourth for overall hit-outs.
McEvoy’s strong year to date sees him rated as the fourth best ruckman, and like his counterpart on Friday, is enjoying career-bests in disposals (12.9) and clearances (2.7).
Whoever can get the better of this battle and provide first-use to their on-ball brigade will go a long way tp shaping the contest.
Keep an eye on…
Rhyce Shaw
Shaw will take over his first game since being officially named the head coach of the North Melbourne Football Club.
There will be an air of excitement amongst the Roos’ fans as they see the beginning of a new era, and they will no doubt be watching on in anticipation.
Shaw has had success so far as an interim coach, but it will be fascinating to see if anything changes with the interim tag removed from his title.
