1. Form
North Melbourne
Round 12: Defeated Gold Coast by 7 points; 11.21.87 to 12.8.80 Round 11: Bye Round 10: Lost to Hawthorn by 115 points; 9.5.59 to 27.12.174
Season: 5-6, 12th, 100.44%
Adelaide
Round 12: Defeated St Kilda by 4 points; 17.13.115 to 16.15.111 Round 11: Bye Round 10: Defeated Fremantle by 29 points; 17.9.111 to 12.10.82
Season: 9-2, 2nd, 125.17%
2. Flashback
Round 11, 2011 - Etihad Stadium
North Melbourne 6.1.37, 8.3.51, 13.5.83, 18.7.115 Adelaide 2.1.13, 4.4.28, 6.7.43, 10.8.68
Goals: Petrie (4), Adams (2), Anthony (2), Harvey (2), Swallow (2) Brownlow Medal: 3 - Andrew Swallow (NM), 2 - Drew Petrie (NM), 1 - Jack Ziebell (NM)
On a day that Brent Harvey equalled Glenn Archer's games record of 311, North jumped out of the blocks and never looked back. Andrew Swallow had a remarkable 39-possession, 17-clearance game to help North have an incredible 18 clearance and 60 possession advantage.
Swallow wasn't the only player to have a huge influence on the game with Jack Ziebell notching up 11 tackles (still a career high) and Todd Goldstein amassing 48 hitouts and 17 possessions.
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North Melbourne
Nathan Grima
After notching up his first Dream Team century in almost two seasons against Gold Coast, Grima has forced his name into discussions for defenders to be traded in to teams. A keen fantasy player himself, further strong performances will have him feature in a large number of sides.
Adelaide
Sam Shaw
With downgrade options scarce, Shaw has entered the Adelaide team and averaged almost 70-points per game in his first three outings. Although his first price rise is through, it's not too late to hop on the bandwagon.
4. Waiting in the wings
North Melbourne
Cruize Garlett
Despite few senior opportunities in 2012, Garlett’s rich vein of form in the VFL may see him back in the senior side sooner rather than later. 32 possessions on Sunday at a staggering 94 percent efficiency resulted in the midfielder named in the bests yet again.
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Graham Johncock
Recovering from a back problem which forced him out of Adelaide's victory over St Kilda, Johncock may be available for selection this Sunday. Able to play forward and back, his versatility makes the Crows a much more dangerous proposition.
5. Rising stars
North Melbourne
Shaun Atley
Improving by the week, Atley had one of his best games against the Suns. Alongside Jamie Macmillan on the half-back line, Atley offers an injection of pace and can break the lines. If North opts to return to its free-wheeling ways, Atley could be a big part of making it a success.
Adelaide
Rory Sloane
The recently re-signed Crow has been a revelation since Brenton Sanderson took over the reins as coach. Sloane has only had two games under 21 disposals in 2012 and he backs it up with a ferocious attack on the ball, averaging almost six tackles per game. He, Scott Thompson and Patrick Dangerfield are the nucleus in an impressive midfield looking to consolidate the side’s superb efforts in the first half of the season.
6. Experienced campaigners
North Melbourne
Last week North Melbourne’s oldest players were its best - a familiar trend at Aegis Park. Drew Petrie was dominant up forward and club champion Brent Harvey was back to his old self against Gold Coast. Daniel Wells collected 22 disposals and his creativity with the ball will go a long way to getting the Roos over the line against Adelaide while Scott McMahon’s return to the backline will be extremely valuable with the highly skilled number 42 regarded as a cool head and excellent decision maker.
Adelaide
While the younger stars have been regularly spoken of, the old hands at Adelaide have been its steadying influence. In Michael Doughty, Ben Rutten and Brent Reilly, the defence has provided the solidity needed to allow those further up the field to play with freedom.
Doughty and Reilly in particular have found a second wind this season. While they were both fixtures in the senior team during Neil Craig’s time, their overall form and importance to the side was not near the level it currently is. Able to play on small and medium forwards, their versatility is a big bonus.
7. The road ahead
North Melbourne
Round 14: St Kilda, Etihad Stadium, Sunday twilight Round 15: West Coast, Blundstone Arena, Saturday afternoon Round 16: Carlton, Etihad Stadium, Friday night
Beginning with Adelaide, North has a difficult month of football. Playing against four sides in the top half of the ladder, back-to-back six day breaks between Rounds 14 and 15 does not help its cause. When the final siren blows on July 13, the Roos will truly know where they stand.
North Melbourne v Adelaide Crows
Sunday June 24, 2012 - 4.40pm
Etihad Stadium
Gates open at 3pm.
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