11:28 AM Fri 07 Aug, 2009
Josh Gibson will be vital to North Melbourne's chances, whether in defence or through the midfield.
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Where and when: Docklands, Sunday August 9, 1.10pm AEST
Head to head: North Melbourne 64 wins, Melbourne 83 wins, one draw
Last time: North Melbourne 15.11 (101) d Melbourne 10.7 (67), round one at the MCG
MISSING IN ACTION
Melbourne
Brent Moloney (groin) – test
Brock McLean (knee) – test
Jordie McKenzie (calf) – test
Liam Jurrah (ankle) – test
Jack Grimes (hip flexor) – test
Stefan Martin (calf) – test
Jack Watts (hand) – 1 week
Paul Wheatley (quadriceps) – 1-2 week
Mark Jamar (quadriceps) – 1-2 weeks
Matthew Whelan (plantar fascia) – 2 weeks
Jamie Bennell (knee) – 2-3 weeks
Rhys Healey (quad) – indefinite
Austin Wonaeamirri (knee) – season
Brad Green (wrist) – season
Daniel Bell (shoulder) – season
John Meesen (foot) – season
Colin Garland (foot) – season
Sam Blease (leg) – season
James Struass (shoulder) – season
Addam Maric (shoulder) – season
North Melbourne
Levi Greenwood (bruised knee) – test
Nathan Grima (bruised knee) – test
Daniel Wells (groin) – test
Jesse Smith (hamstring) – 2 weeks
Leigh Harding (hamstring) – 3-4 weeks
Jack Ziebell (broken leg/hip) – season
Ben Warren (broken leg) – season
Robbie Tarrant (shoulder) – season
Luke Delaney (shoulder) – season
FORM
North Melbourne: LLDLL
Melbourne: WWLLL
SUMMARY
With just seven wins between them for the season – four from North Melbourne and three to Melbourne – finals are well and truly out of the question.
Still, there is plenty of interest in this 'dead rubber'.
Aspiring 2010 North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker is still searching for his first win, after some agonisingly close losses. In six matches, Crocker has coached the Roos to five losses and one draw against Richmond in round 16. The defeats have been by an average of 19.4 points.
After pushing finals contender Carlton to 10 points last round – during club great Adam Simpson's final AFL match – the Kangas will be eager to give 'Crock' his first win.
Melbourne on the other hand has been under intense scrutiny following its loss to Richmond, when Tiger Jordan McMahon sealed the win with a kick after the siren.
Coach Dean Bailey, a man hellbent on developing players, flexibility and a winning culture, conceded post-match he was experimenting with players in different positions against the Tigers as he looks for long term gains and he remains unwavering in his approach.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Liam Anthony (North Melbourne)
The mature first-year recruit – he turns 22 in September – has already shown he can cut it, averaging 24.5 disposals per match in six appearances (rounds 13 to 18). It is a fine effort from Anthony, who was set to play in round one, but missed the opening nine rounds due to a foot stress fracture. The No.43 pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft is already proving to be a shrewd choice by talent identification manager Bryce Lewis.
Lynden Dunn (Melbourne)
The 22-year-old played one of his best AFL matches last round when he booted two majors – including a brilliant checkside goal dribbled from the pocket – and claimed 18 disposals against Richmond. His contested work and tackling was also a highlight. It was a good result from the tall forward-turned-midfielder who showed further progression in his game. He is now set to play his 50th AFL match this round.
QUESTION MARKS
On the back of an emotion-charged clash against the Blues, how will the post-Simpson era start for the Roos? Can the Kangas bounce back and give Crocker, another North Melbourne favourite son, his inaugural win and the team's first since round nine?
The Demons were under the microscope last round for their experimental play against the Tigers, even though they only lost the game after the siren. It won't surprise if Melbourne again tries several players in different positions – how much greater will the media focus be on the Dees this weekend?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Although the Demons have the ability to win this game, expect the Kangas to just get over the line. When the two sides met in the opening round, it was close until the final quarter when the Roos kicked away to win by 34 points. The teams appear much closer in their development this time around, remembering the Kangas have only won one more match for the season. Melbourne has also won two games since North Melbourne's last victory.
PREDICTION
North Melbourne by eight points
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
kangaroos.com.au
