With only percentage separating the two clubs, Sunday's match has high stakes.
1. Form
North Melbourne
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
Round 11: Bye
Season: 6-6, 11th, 103.00%
St Kilda
Round 13: Bye
Round 12: Lost to Adelaide by 4 points; 16.15.111 to 17.13.115
Round 11: Defeated Gold Coast by 95 points; 21.18.144 to 7.7.49
Season: 6-6, 8th, 121.65%
2. Round 15, 2011
When North Melbourne met St Kilda for the first time in 2011, it was coming off four successive wins and was sitting just half a game outside the eight despite a poor start to the season.
Look ahead to this Sunday and even with an indifferent run over the last six to eight weeks, North sits just percentage points outside the eight with St Kilda sitting in eighth spot.
While the ladder position of the Saints is higher than it was heading into last season's clash, in many ways, Sunday's game is again potentially season-defining.
Following the loss last season, North came out the following week and was beaten convincingly by Collingwood. At six wins and nine losses, the season was, for all intents and purposes, over. On the other hand, St Kilda would go on to lose only two of its last ten matches (including another win over North) to finish two and a half games clear in the top eight.
A win this week for the Kangaroos could leave them in the eight depending on results. However, a loss combined with undesirable results could leave it a game behind its three rivals for eighth spot, significant percentage behind two of them and with a tough few weeks coming against West Coast in Round 15.
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| Disappointment following the loss to St Kilda in Round 15 last season |
3. Star players
Nick Riewoldt
While Riewoldt looks likely to play despite concerns over a lingering calf injury, the fact remains he has been a constant tormentor of North in recent times.
In his last six games against the Kangaroos, the St Kilda captain has averaged 19 disposals, over 12 marks and almost 5 goals. He has also polled 10 Brownlow Medal votes in these outings.
Assuming he is fully fit on Sunday evening, Riewoldt poses a dilemma. Under new coach Scott Watters, he’s spent more time closer to goal and it is reflected in his goalkicking numbers with 33 in 12 games. While he has kicked a behind in every single match this season, his accuracy has improved.
Riewoldt's current conversion rate of 60 percent is his highest since 2009, when he kicked a career high 78 goals.
Daniel Wells
When Wells is let off the leash, North Melbourne often thrives. The highly creative and silky smooth midfielder has the ability to cut teams apart with his efficiency and play making ability. Opposition sides have mainly opted to lock down on Brent Harvey this season leaving Wells free to run rampant.
The reigning best and fairest winner is averaging more than 23 disposals a game and it remains to be seen whether Scott Watters will send a tagger to him, Brent Harvey or both.
The number 8 was pivotal to the Roos fortunes against Adelaide and had 18 touches against the Saints last time they met, however it was later revealed he may have played with life threatening blot clots and was severely underdone.
4. Maintaining momentum
North Melbourne
Following North's Round 3 win over Geelong, kangaroos.com.au made the following observation:
"A trait of a club trying to prove itself can be inconsistency. Coming off a big win can sometimes result in a downward output depending on the group."
The eight matches between the Geelong and Adelaide victories only yielded three wins for North and the group will be looking to ensure there’s no let down.
A second attempt at establishing some momentum is crucial to the club’s finals aspirations and three or more wins would firmly set North up for a run in September.
St Kilda
St Kilda hasn’t strung two wins together since Rounds 2 and 3 when it beat Gold Coast and then the Bulldogs and will be looking to use the break as the perfect springboard for their season.
It’s last match against Adelaide resulted in a narrow four-point loss and a chance to play a side its had the wood on since 2009 in North presents it with an opportunity to make a run for the finals and cement a spot in the eight.
5. Etihad specialists
One could argue both North Melbourne and St Kilda are the two clubs most suited to the indoor conditions.
St Kilda in particular has an incredible record. On face value, 97 wins from 158 matches is a strong return. However, it becomes even more impressive when you remove its early struggles at the venue.
The Saints lost 23 of their first 30 games at Etihad - remove those and they've won 92 from 128; a remarkable winning percentage of almost 72.
As a comparison, it roughly equates to 16 wins in a regular home and away season. In every year since the turn of the millennium (except for 2011), 16 wins would be enough for a top three finish. This is a measure of just how tough St Kilda is to beat at Etihad Stadium.
While North doesn't have quite the record its opponents have, a tough loss against Richmond in Round 5 last season seemed to be the tonic to turn its fortunes around.
In the 18 games at Etihad since that evening, North has won 12 and hasn't lost consecutive games. To further illustrate the point, five of the six losses have been by 18-points or less and three by nine-points or less.
The two signature wins against Geelong and Adelaide this season have both come under the roof. To make it three this Sunday, North will have to take the mantle of Etihad specialists from the home side.
