The Kangaroos will head to the Apple Isle this weekend to host the in-form Demons at Blundstone Arena with Alastair Clarkson back at the helm.

North Melbourne came agonisingly close to putting an end to its 16-game losing streak in Round 20 but couldn't overcome the Eagles on their home deck, while Melbourne managed to claim a runaway 32-point victory over Richmond on Sunday.

Here's everything you need to know for the match in this week's gameday guide.

Set your matchday reminders

Sunday, August 6
North Melbourne v Melbourne at Blundstone Arena, 1.10pm AEST

The Roos will be out for revenge when they face off with a Demons outfit that was a class above back when the two sides met in Round 7 at the MCG.

Conquering Simon Goodwin's group will be a challenging task though, as it looks to claim a fifth straight win with finals football approaching.

So you don't miss the game, or any others this season, make sure to sync the fixture to your calendar.

Ticketing

Tickets are still available for the Round 21 clash with the Demons.

Getting to Blundstone Arena

Transport information getting to and from the ground can be found here.

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Watch on TV or stream on your phone

Sunday's game will be broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.

Stay connected on social media

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

With senior coach Alastair Clarkson back at the helm, the Roos head to their home away from home to challenge the in-form Demons at Hobart's Blundstone Arena on Sunday.

Despite fighting back from an early 31-point deficit, North Melbourne succumbed against the Eagles in Perth last week, prolonging the club's losing streak.

A fourth-quarter surge at the MCG on the same day saw Melbourne overwhelm the Tigers to win by 32 points, keeping the Demons' top-two hopes alive.

The opposition

The Demons have enjoyed four wins from their past four matches following their two-point loss to the Giants back in Round 16, and will be eager to continue applying the pressure to Port Adelaide (2nd on the ladder) and Brisbane (3rd) with another four points.

Unleashing captain Max Gawn has been key to their recent success, with the six-time All-Australian ruckman averaging 23.3 disposals, one goal, 39 hitouts and eight clearances since the club dropped Brodie Grundy to the reserves for Round 18's match with Brisbane.

Young spearhead Jacob van Rooyen and premiership defender Harrison Petty stole headlines with four and six goals respectively against the Tigers, while Jake Melksham added four of his own, providing coach Simon Goodwin with a dangerous forward line mix.

In the medical room, midfielder Tom Sparrow looks likely to return, while star onballer Clayton Oliver is set for at least another week on the sidelines and won't take the field against the Roos.

The magnets

There are no forced outs for the Kangaroos this week with all players making it out of Perth relatively unscathed. Josh Goater was subbed out during the third quarter with a knee issue but has since been given the all-clear to play this weekend.

Veteran midfielder Ben Cunnington won 24 touches and nine clearances against Werribee in the VFL and could be considered for a call-up alongside Charlie Lazzaro, who collected 23 disposals and six inside 50s.

An impressive performance behind the ball from Kallan Dawson has the defender in the mix for a season debut.

What the coaches have said

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson in his letter to Kangaroos members and fans: "I’ve watched closely how 'Ratts' (interim coach Brett Ratten) and the boys have fared in recent weeks. Although the wins haven’t been forthcoming, we’ve taken steps forward in a number of areas. I‘m really looking forward to coming back in and building on the work the players and the footy department have done in my absence."

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin post-game v Richmond: "We've been down by 20 points in numerous games in the past month and our ability to respond and find a way forward in the game is the hallmark of a team you want to be a part of. These guys have the enormous ability to compete at a really high level and they're building."

Last time we met

Melbourne 22.7 (139) def North Melbourne 7.7 (49), Round 7, 2023 at the MCG

North Melbourne's largest loss of the season to date came at the hands of the Demons when the sides clashed at the MCG back in Round 7.

Melbourne dictated terms from the first bounce and kicked five goals in 13 minutes to lay the foundations for what became a 90-point win and North Melbourne's fifth loss in a row.

A serious ankle injury to Charlie Comben in the first term and fourth-term injuries to Callum Coleman-Jones (concussion) and Tom Powell (ankle) compounded the side's woes.

The Roos did manage the final three goals of the game, with Cunnington slotting one to go with his 27 disposals and 11 clearances. Liam Shiels was significant with 27 touches and a major, while Harry Sheezel impressed with another 30-disposal outing.

Melbourne has turned on the jets after a slow start to register a 32-point win over North Melbourne.

The high-flying Demons trailed by 33 points early in the second quarter to North Melbourne before running out 15.13 (103) to 10.11 (71) victors at Blundstone Arena on Sunday.

But they have a nervous wait determining the severity of an ankle injury to Harrison Petty, who left the field in the third quarter and didn't return.

Petty had earlier kicked two goals on the back of a six-goal haul against Richmond last round.

Melbourne's Kysaiah Pickett provided a spark, kicking three goals including a miraculous left-foot effort from the left boundary line, and a fleet-footed snap.

Pickett picked up two goal assists, while teammates Alex Neal-Bullen and Kade Chandler also slotted three goals.

The win was Melbourne's fifth in a row and its largest comeback win of the year, with three regular-season fixtures remaining before the finals.

KANGAROOS v DEMONS Full match coverage and stats

The Demons moved to second on the ladder, but could shift down to third if Brisbane beat Fremantle on Sunday afternoon.

Melbourne put on seven straight goals either side of half-time to take the lead after trailing 35-9 at the first break.

North Melbourne's Eddie Ford kicked a team-high three majors - all in the first quarter - to give Alastair Clarkson something to smile about in his 400th game as an AFL coach.

Retiring Kangaroos veteran Jack Ziebell notched a team-high 32 disposals.

Eddie everywhere early
While very few would have had an early Kangaroos goal-fest on their bingo cards, even fewer would have predicted three of those goals to come from 21-year-old Eddie Ford. After Todd Goldstein got the Roos their first of the day, Ford kicked into gear, kicking three of the next four goals to shepherd the Roos to a 26-point lead at the first break. His influence waned as the game wore on and Melbourne wrestled back control, but it was an exciting display from a young player against a fearsome opponent.

Dees spoil Clarkson's return
Twelve rounds after taking a step back from the top job, Alastair Clarkson returned to the coaching helm against Melbourne. The 32-point loss wasn't quite the welcome back he'd have hoped for, but the Roos' strong first-quarter effort showed there are plenty of green shoots.

NORTH MELBOURNE     5.5     8.8     9.9     10.11 (71)
MELBOURNE                  1.3     8.4     14.7     15.13 (103)

GOALS 
North Melbourne: Ford 3, Goldstein 2, Scott, Larkey, Curtis, Simpkin, Taylor
Melbourne: Pickett 3, Neal-Bullen 3, Chandler 3, Petty 2, Petracca 2, Van Rooyen 2

BEST 
North Melbourne: Ziebell, Ford, Simpkin, Davies-Uniacke
Melbourne: Pickett, Petracca, Brayshaw, Hunter 

INJURIES 
North Melbourne: TBC
Melbourne: Petty (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES 
North Melbourne: Lazzarro (replaced Hansen jnr in the third quarter)
Melbourne: Hibberd (replaced Petty in the third quarter)

Crowd: 8,034 at Blundstone Arena