North Melbourne will travel to Skoda Stadium on Saturday knowing a percentage boost could be required to ensure a final in Melbourne.

In Round 2 North defeated the Giants by 129 points, a margin which stood as the heaviest defeat for the rookie team until Round 15.

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Andrew Swallow

While the majority of the North Melbourne midfield was down on its usual standard against Fremantle, the captain stood up yet again and led the way.

Swallow led the team in kicks, handballs, contested possessions, clearances, free kicks for and tackles in an amazing performance. Possibly on the cusp of an All-Australian nod, a strong game against the Giants will keep his name at the front of the queue for a midfield position.

Toby Greene

If Greene was not suspended earlier in the season, he would be the raging favourite to take out this year's Rising Star award. He is averaging more disposals a game than any 18-year-old in the modern era at an astounding 27.8 per game.

Against St Kilda he was paid the ultimate respect as the likes of Leigh Montagna attempted to get inside his head. Keep in mind it was Greene's 18th game and Montagna, a 190-game, 11-year veteran, felt he had to try and unsettle him.

It didn't seem to work as Greene ended up collecting 34 possessions, the seventh time in his last eight games he has broken the 30-possession barrier.

Finals ramifications

Two other games on Saturday will have an effect on North's finishing place inside the bottom half of the eight. Firstly, Geelong take on Sydney at Simonds Stadium at 1:45pm. A win to the Cats removes any chance of sixth position being up for grabs, leaving only seventh and eighth.

After the clash with the Giants ends, Fremantle takes the field at Patersons Stadium to face Melbourne. By this time, all North will be able to do is sit back, watch and wait. Ultimately the Dockers will be able to control their destiny depending on earlier results.

North will finish sixth if:

- It wins AND makes up its percentage deficits to Geelong and Fremantle AND Geelong lose to Sydney.

North will finish seventh if:

- It wins by enough to overhaul Fremantle but Geelong wins/loses by a small margin

North will finish eighth if:

- It loses.
- It wins by an insufficient margin to overhaul one of Fremantle or Geelong (if the Cats lose).

New grounds

Skoda Stadium is the second new stadium North will play on this season. Coincidentally its first game on Blundstone Arena also came against the Giants.

The Giants have acquitted themselves well at Skoda, with a victory over Port Adelaide in their most recent match. It also pushed Richmond from siren to siren and ended up going down by only 12-points in a close encounter.

It must be noted that in 2011, Gold Coast entered its final round match at home against Hawthorn, a side preparing for finals. Most observers expected a comfortable Hawks win as the Suns were just waiting for the season to end.

In the end, Gold Coast fought every step of the way and were perhaps a little unlucky to go down by 9-points. A similar situation faces North this week and a failure to switch on could well cost it an opportunity to play an elimination final in Melbourne.

Missing in action

North Melbourne

Cam Pedersen (Ankle) - test
Daniel Wells (Calf) - test
Nathan Grima (Hamstring tendonitis) - test
Todd Goldstein (Illness) - test
Leigh Adams (Shoulder) - season
Hamish McIntosh (Knee) - season
Tom Curran (Foot) - season

GWS (August 21)

Kurt Aylett (Knee) - season
Jeremy Cameron (Shoulder) - season
Stephen Coniglio (Back) - season
Sam Frost (Hips) - season
Tim Mohr (Hips) - season
Setanta O'hAilpin (Knee) - season
Jon Patton (Shoulder) - season
Sam Reid (Shoulder) - season
Sam Schulz (Shoulder) - season
Tim Segrave (Back) - season
Dylan Shiel (Foot) - season
Liam Summer (Quad) - season
Jacob Townsend (Groin) - Season