Get set for the final round of the home and away season when the North Melbourne Kangaroos host the Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

After last week making his long-awaited AFL return, Ben Cunnington will finally get the chance to play at home again in front of the adoring Kangaroos fans.

It will also be Member Appreciation Round as the Roos give thanks to their record-breaking number of loyal members.

Set your matchday reminders

Saturday, August 20
North Melbourne v Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium, 2.10pm AEST

The Roos received an inspirational team-lifter last weekend when Ben Cunnington returned to the AFL side for the first time in 385 days after his battle with testicular cancer.

While scores were level at three-quarter time, injuries took their toll as Jack Ziebell (shoulder), Jaidyn Stephenson (back), Jed Anderson (concussion) and Paul Curtis (shoulder) were all ruled out late and Adelaide ran over the Roos in the final term.

Gold Coast comes into the match on the back of a 60-point loss to top-of-the-table Geelong last weekend.

The Roos and Suns clashed in Darwin in Round 12, with the latter winning by 62 points after a second-term blitz set up their victory.

Get your tickets!

Be there to cheer on our boys and help give them the boost they need to overcome the Suns.

GETTING TO THE GAME
How to get to Marvel Stadium via various modes of transport can be found here.

GATES OPEN
Gates will open at 12.30pm for you to come and enjoy the pre game action.

ROO SHOP
The Roo Shop will be open from 12.30pm this Saturday until after the final siren.
You can find the Roo Shop on Level 1 gate 7 and Level 2 gate 8, Aisle 30.

Be part of history as we target 50k members in 2022

The North Melbourne Kangaroos have reached a new membership record of 46,401 so far in 2022, surpassing the club’s previous record of 46,357, set only last year.

With the continued support of members and fans, the club’s 50,000 membership target is within reach for the first time in its 153-year history.

Joining up as a member is a great way to support not only the AFL team, but the entire football club. 

Watch on TV or stream on your device

The game will be broadcast live for Foxtel and Kayo Sports subscribers.

Stay connected on social media

For behind-the-scenes access and all the best highlights, photos, stats and stories, we’ve got you covered.

Follow the @NMFCOfficial accounts on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with everything happening at the match.

Bring on the big game!

North Melbourne will conclude its season in front of home fans at Marvel Stadium as it takes on the Gold Coast Suns in Round 23.

Out to end their run of four-straight losses, the Kangaroos will look to build on the stoppage dominance and overall competitiveness they displayed a week ago.

Having fallen away in the fourth quarter against Adelaide, motivation will be high for Leigh Adams' side to finish the year off with a complete performance.

On the Suns' end, they've suffered two disappointing results back-to-back and will be eager to finish their campaign on a bright note by equalling their greatest number of wins in a season (10).

Here are four narratives to watch out for as North look to outshine the Suns in Member Appreciation Round.

Second chance at sinking the Suns

It was a promising start last time out against the Suns with a four goal to one first term in the sticky Darwin heat.

The Roos held a 17-point lead heading into the second term, but it was Gold Coast who took control as they slammed on seven goals to nothing for the quarter.

Having been subbed out early in the clash due to concussion in Round 12, four quarters with Ben McKay at full-back this time around will make it that little bit harder for the Suns to break through.

Stuart Dew's side were also much better in the trenches, winning 24 more contested possessions which led to a heavily one-sided inside 50 count of 81-36.

Despite the 62-point defeat, a goal of the season contender emerged during the afternoon courtesy of Jason Horne-Francis.

Midway through the third term, the young gun created magic as he danced around defenders to eventually slot a right foot snap from close range after bobbling a handball from Todd Goldstein.

Saturday will serve as another opportunity for North's developing squad to measure how far they've come over the course of the season.

Get your Goat on

Saturday will mark the debut of lifelong Roos fan and Shinboner No.1046, Josh Goater.

Goater, taken from the Calder Cannons with the 22^nd pick of the 2021 national draft, has been biding his time in the VFL throughout 2022.

Averaging 15.6 disposals and 4.3 marks in the reserves, the young half-back/wingman will become the final player of North's most recent national draft class to make their debut.

Goater will complement the likes of Bailey Scott and Aaron Hall with his ability to get dangerous with ball in hand, while the 19-year-old also has the capacity to pick off opposition attacks with his intercepting expertise.

With North adopting a more free-flowing style of football under the coaching of Leigh Adams, expect Goater to further develop as a damaging player.

Finishing strong

Sitting at the bottom of the ladder in never a good feeling.

It may come with the caveat of receiving the No.1 draft pick come seasons end, but a final round win after a frustrating and trying campaign would certainly be a welcome feeling for all those involved with the club.

Heading into the offseason after avoiding a second-straight wooden spoon would certainly be uplifting too, but it is out of North Melbourne's hands to a certain extent.

Should the Roos conquer the Suns on Saturday afternoon, they would need to rely on Geelong to defeat West Coast in the round's following match in order to move up to 17^th.

While the likelihood of a Cats victory is high, Gold Coast showed the Roos first-hand in Round 12 how formidable they can be.

In what will be Ben Cunnington's return to Marvel Stadium and potentially Leigh Adams' final game as senior coach, there's even more incentive to strive for the win.

Luke vs. Touk

Luke Davies-Uniacke's breakout season has been a sight to behold for North fans.

Without Cunnington in the midfield for much of the year, the former top four draft pick has taken on a greater responsibility around the ground alongside co-captain Jy Simpkin.

It's going to be a mouth-watering clash when 'LDU' lines up next to another star of the competition in Touk Miller.

The Suns' captain has enjoyed another stellar year on the Gold Coast, leading his team to one of their best seasons since entering the league in 2011, and is expected to poll strongly in the Brownlow Medal count.

Miller averages 28.6 disposals, 7.9 clearances and six tackles per game, and was even more damaging against the Roos earlier this season with 32 touches and 13 clearances.

Both players have match-winning capabilities, so an enticing battle awaits.

Gold Coast may have missed the eight, but finished the season on a high with a 67-point victory over North Melbourne.

Inclusion Alex Sexton booted six in the absence of Izak Rankine, as the Suns coasted to the 16.18 (114) to 6.11 (47) victory, which barring an all-time West Coast loss to Geelong, has all but assured North Melbourne of the No.1 pick.

After a joyous 24 hours at Arden Street, securing the signature of master coach Alastair Clarkson for next year, the Roos crashed back to earth with a bang.

Unsurprisingly, the last quarter of the dead rubber was fairly free-flowing, with an element of going through the motions. The Suns flicked the ball around the ground with ease but struggled in front of goal.

Gold Coast was the dominant side in the first half, moving the ball with pace and kicking long where possible.

But both teams arguably struggled to make an impact in attack, making mistakes with that last crucial kick inside 50, key defenders in either uniform feasting on mis-directed disposal.

KANGAROOS v SUNS Full match coverage and stats

The Roos dominated play early after the half-time break, locking the ball inside 50 and forcing repeated entries, but were once again unable to capitalise, kicking four consecutive behinds.

By contrast, the Suns opened the game right up in the remainder of the quarter, booting 6.4 as Alex Davies provided plenty of drive across half-forward and Sexton and Mabior Chol providing a handful deep in attack.

Both Ben Ainsworth and Jason Horne-Francis suffered unfortunate collisions with stray boots in separate incidents, but both returned to the field in the final term after receiving treatment.

A Goat(er) of a debut
There were some bright signs for newly appointed coach Alastair Clarkson in interim coach Leigh Adams' last game in charge. Debutant Josh Goater showed plenty of life on the wing, as well as some much-needed poise and composure when more senior teammates were playing with a little too much wild abandon. The 19-year-old made smart decisions in his 21-disposal, five-mark game.

Welcome back (again), Cunners
North favourite Ben Cunnington made his long-awaited return from testicular cancer last week, when the Roos were playing in Adelaide. Saturday marked the first time hometown fans could show their appreciation. An organised and rousing round of applause marked Cunnington's entry to the game at the 10-minute mark, coincidentally the bullocking Roo's jumper number.

NORTH MELBOURNE     1.5     3.6     5.9     6.11     (47)
GOLD COAST                 4.2     6.8     12.12     16.18     (114)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Scott, Larkey, Mahony, Greenwood, Davies-Uniacke, Taylor
Gold Coast: Sexton 6, Davies 2, Rosas 2, Anderson, Swallow, Miller, Chol, Ainsworth, Lukosius

BEST
North Melbourne: Davies-Uniacke, Simpkin, McKay, Greenwood, Young, Corr
Gold Coast: Anderson, Miller, Sexton, Swallow, Ellis, Ainsworth

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Horne-Francis (head knock)
Gold Coast: Ainsworth (head knock), Lemmens (calf)

LATE CHANGES
North Melbourne: Coleman-Jones (ankle) replaced in selected side by Comben
Gold Coast: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Turner (unused)
Gold Coast: Constable (replaced Lemmens in the fourth quarter)