North Melbourne v Collingwood
Sunday, July 29
Avalon Aiport Oval
First bounce: 1.00pm (AEST)
Storyline
A crunch month of footy for North Melbourne starts against Collingwood on Sunday afternoon.
Given the ultra-competitive nature of the VFL, wins over surroundings sides over the next four weeks will prove vital for a potential finals berth.
Despite sitting tenth, North is just a win and percentage away from Box Hill, which currently sits fifth.
After three consecutive weeks on the road, including back-to-back trips to the competition leading Richmond and Casey, North will return to Avalon Airport Oval for the first time in nearly a month.
AFL brigade on show
When AFL-affiliated sides meet, there’s always an opportunity for players pushing for senior selection to shine.
Given the significance of a win this weekend and with the game slated to be live streamed on the VFL website, a greater platform has been afforded to those on the cusp of senior selection.
Key-forward and leading goal-scorer Nick Larkey continues to be mentioned as a popular alternative to the injured Jarrad Waite, while Braydon Preuss’ stand-out season highlights his case for a senior call-up as the ‘AFL ready’ label remains firmly affixed to his name.
Although defensive pairing Ben McKay and Dan Nielson can also be considered unlucky due the strong form of Scott Thompson, Robbie Tarrant and Majak Daw, consistency in their individual roles will have them well-placed in North’s run home.
Collingwood has welcomed back a host of AFL-listed players in recent weeks, including James Aish, Jamie Elliott, Alex Fasolo and Jarryd Blair.
Aish and Elliott were stand-outs in the Pies’ 27-point win last week, with the former getting plenty of the footy with his 22 disposals. Despite his limited opportunities, Elliott made the most of his chances to boot two goals.
Making it count
When it comes to getting its hands on the footy, Collingwood is one of the sides in the competition.
The Magpies are fifth statistically for disposals per game, averaging 50 more than the Roos in this category.
However, as the old adage suggests, there is often a story beyond the numbers.
In spite of its limited disposals per game, North has proven to be more efficient than most when it comes to making the most of its forward entries, ranking third for goals scored per inside 50.
Given the form offered by the recently introduced forward pairing Lachlan Mirams and Steve Stroobants, complementing North’s existing threats in Larkey and Gordon Narrier, conversion may become a prominent storyline on Sunday afternoon.
Mirams and Stroobants combined for six goals last weekend, providing a popular alternative in the Roos’ forward six.
Rebound runners
The ability to quickly transition out of defence has been a staple for both sides.
Given this tendency, it comes as little surprise that North and Collingwood both have a player listed inside the top ten for total rebound 50s this season.
Mitch Hibberd is listed sixth in the competition after securing 12 of his own at Skybus Stadium last weekend, while Collingwood’s Marty Hore is outright second after matching Hibberd’s effort against Essendon.
The strong-bodied 21-year-old showed polish in North’s 58-point win over Frankston, tallying 23 disposals and seven marks in an authoritative display that highlighted his development in the VFL.
Although Hore may be lacking in size when a comparison is made to North’s tall forwards, the left-footer continues to surprise opposition sides, offering pace and drive out of defence.
Collingwood team
B: Murphy, Madgen, Smith
HB: Smith, Hore, Oxley
C: Wellings, Woodward, Brown
HF: Crocker, Elliott, Aish
F: Hellier, Fasolo, Hetherington
R: McLarty, Tardrew, Blair
Int: Tahana, Gallucci, Howe, Le Grice, Beveridge, Starcevich, Chippendale, Sing
23P: Jok
Burning Questions
Can North maintain its impressive form at Avalon Airport Oval?
North has lost just once at home this season, highlighting the fortress-like atmosphere in Werribee.
Having avenged its lone blemish at Avalon Airport Oval last weekend, confidence will be high amongst the playing group as North looks to replicate earlier heroics at home against higher-placed opposition.
Will North break losing run against AFL affiliated sides?
The Roos are winless this season when playing against fellow AFL-affiliated sides.
Although pre-season results favour performance and structure over results, North will like its chances having trounced Collingwood in the only meeting between the two sides at the Westpac Centre.
Can North go back-to-back?
You have to go back to Round 9 to find the last stretch of games that resulted in consecutive wins.
With the run of three wins in a row against Port Melbourne, Box Hill and Sandringham taking place back in May, a winning result against Collingwood would see North mirror its best run of results this season.
Fans are invited to attend Sunday’s VFL match against Collingwood at Avalon Airport Oval, with the first bounce at 1.00pm. Entry to home games is free for NMFC members. Courtesy of VFL.com.au, the game will be live-streamed with the coverage commencing at 1.00pm EST.
