Geelong v North Melbourne
Wednesday, August 5 – 5.40pm AEST
The Gabba 

North Melbourne will enter Wednesday’s clash with the Cats with increased confidence, after snapping a six-game losing streak in emphatic fashion on Saturday.

The Roos posted the highest score of the season (119), as they beat the Adelaide Crows by 69-points. 

Geelong has been in good form so far in 2020, sitting in sixth position on the ladder. 

The Cats almost clinched a famous win in Perth against the Eagles last time out, being undone by three Josh Kennedy goals in the final term. 

Last time we met

Round 21, 2019 

It was an evening to forget for North, posting its lowest ever score, managing just 14 points in enemy territory.

Todd Goldstein kicked the only goal for the Roos, while Ben Cunnington collected 30 disposals.

Patrick Dangerfield was the best for the Cats with 33 touches and a goal. 

The match-up  

Robbie Tarrant v Tom Hawkins 

Robbie Tarrant will face a tough test on Wednesday in the form of All-Australian full-forward, Tom Hawkins.

Hawkins’ has been in fine form again in 2020, with his 16 goals placing him sixth in the race for the Coleman Medal. 

Tarrant, North captain in the absence of Jack Ziebell, has been a dominant presence throughout the season and will need to be at his best once again to stop Hawkins.

The key men 

Jed Anderson and Mitch Duncan 

In the absence of Ben Cunnington, the Roos have turned to Jed Anderson to be the main man in the contest. 

The number three is having an influence around the ground, leading the Roos’ midfielders for score involvements per game (5.4) and tackles (5.3). 

Often underrated due to the big names around him, Mitch Duncan has been a standout for the Cats in 2020. 

His ball use has been among the best in the league, ranking elite for effective kicks (7.9 per game), while also taking the equal second-most marks of any midfielder. 

The stat

North hasn’t defeated Geelong since Round 15, 2015; its longest current winless run against any team. 

The coaches said 

“There are some great opportunities there for guys when their time comes, because of these short breaks … and I think that's the best part about this season." – Rhyce Shaw on making changes.

"It's a logistical stone in your shoe rather than a considerable performance issue. I played 14 years up in Queensland, I know it's a little bit different to the Perth trip, but I had three years there [in Perth] as an assistant, using travel as an excuse is one of the great furphies in footy." – Chris Scott on the four-day break after Perth game.

The teams

North Melbourne has fallen to a 33-point loss to Geelong at the Gabba.

The Roos were within 15 points with five minutes remaining in the game, but three late goals to the Cats inflicted further damage on the scoreboard.

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North's hopes were hurt in the first term, when recalled key forward Ben Brown suffered a knee injury that ended his night, and Geelong took advantage.

They were 18 points ahead at half-time but could have been further after a wasteful display around goal, however, they controlled the contest to run out comfortable victors.

Jy Simpkin was among North's best with 25 disposals, eight clearances and a goal, while Shaun Higgins' composure stood out on occasion.

Jed Anderson again set the tone in the contest, and finished with 22 touches, Trent Dumont battled hard, with Ben McKay and Bailey Scott the best of the Roos' younger brigade.  

Majak Daw showed some encouraging signs in his second game back, giving his midfielders first use during his time in the ruck. 

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Brown's bad return
After coming back into North Melbourne's line-up following his axing last week, it wasn't the type of return Brown hoped for. The Kangaroos spearhead was out of the game midway through the first term after being crunched in a heavy tackle at the top of the goalsquare. Brown grabbed for his left (already heavily strapped) knee before hobbling from the field and immediately ruled out for the game. 

Hosie's fast start
Debutant Lachie Hosie has had to wait for his chance at AFL level, but once he cracked into the Kangaroos' side he wasted little time to make an impact. The tenacious forward booted two goals in the opening quarter from close range to give some bite to the Roos' forward mix, converting two shots with ease. The 23-year-old, who joined the Roos as a mid-season rookie pick last year, put in a solid showing and did enough to hold his spot in North's forward half. 

GEELONG 4.2  5.8  8.11 13.12 (90)
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.1 3.2 5.2  9.3 (57)??

GOALS?
Geelong: Miers 4, Hawkins 3, Z.Guthrie 2, Duncan, Menegola, Simpson, Stanley
North Melbourne: Hosie 2, Daw, Hall, Mahony, Polec, Scott, Simpkin, Walker

BEST?
Geelong: C.Guthrie, Miers, Hawkins, Fogarty, Stanley, Z.Guthrie
North Melbourne: Simpkin, Higgins, Anderson, Dumont, Tarrant

INJURIES?
Geelong: Nil
North Melbourne: Brown (left knee), Daw (ankle), Pittard (ankle)