North Melbourne v Carlton
Saturday, July 25 – 1.05pm AEST
The Gabba
Coming off five straight losses, North Melbourne desperately needs a win to get its season back on track.
Carlton is 3-4, but that could have very easily been 4-3 if not for a last-gasp goal from Robbie Gray after the siren last week.
The Blues were impressive with their fast-moving style allowing them to get on top of the Power at various stages.
North on the other hand had perhaps their most disappointing performance of the year, but would take positives from the performances of Josh Walker in attack, Shaun Higgins through the midfield and Ben McKay’s return in defence.
It promises to be a great battle, with both teams looking to bounce back.
Last time we met
Round 7, 2019
North was dominant when the teams faced off at Marvel Stadium.
Cameron Zurhaar was brilliant with five goals, while Ben Brown kicked four in a 58-point win.
Trent Dumont racked up a career-high 38 disposals, while Shaun Higgins had 37 in one of the Roos’ more impressive midfield displays in recent times.
The absence of the skipper Jack Ziebell and clearance king Ben Cunnington will make things tougher this time around.
Zac Fisher was the Blues’ leading disposal-winner last time, but is yet to play this season.
The match-up
Luke McDonald v Patrick Cripps
Marcus Bontempelli, Dylan Shiel, Dustin Martin; Luke McDonald has been brilliant in the past three weeks, shutting down several elite players. Is Patrick Cripps the man to go to this week?
The Carlton skipper has the ability to win a game off his own boot, and North will need to stop his influence to give itself the best chance to win.
It will also be interesting to see if the Blues’ Ed Curnow gets a tagging role on one of North’s prime-movers.
Shaun Higgins and Jy Simpkin could be potential targets, with both enjoying strong form in recent weeks.
The key men
Sam Docherty and Jed Anderson
Two very different players, but both set the benchmark for their team.
Docherty is at his damaging best when given space in defence, and setting up the play with precision.
Anderson on the other hand brings the physical presence, and can lift his team with big tackles and a relentless attack on the footy.
The North number three is a key inclusion, while time will need to be put in to stop the influence of the Blues’ number 15.
The stat
In a category usually dominated by midfielders, Todd Goldstein is breaking the mould.
He leads the league for clearances in 2020, with 49, and is making a habit of following up his own ruck-work with second efforts to regain the footy.
Goldstein is arguably having a career-best season.
Marc Pittonet has been a welcome addition into the ruck for Carlton this year, and will be doing his all to quell the veteran’s impact.
