A relatively young team in terms of their time in the competition, the Dockers have won 7 out of 21 games against the Roos.
Who’s hot?
Ben Cunnington
Admitting to kangaroos.com.au earlier in the week that he was haunted by a fear of failure, Cunnington seems to have overcome his demons in recent weeks. In the past four matches, he’s averaged around 25 disposals with his career average up from 12.9 to 17.2 on 2011. Fitness has been his biggest improvement and he can now comfortably run out four quarters and get to more contests than ever before.
Michael Barlow
While he had a slightly slow start to the season, Barlow has come into his own during Fremantle's run of good form. Averaging more than 25 disposals per game for the year, he is ever-consistent and backs it up with strong tackling numbers. He has laid five or more tackles in each of his last five games.
Where it could be won
Ruck duel
After controversy over the late inclusion of Aaron Sandilands for Fremantle's win over Richmond, there should be no repeat with the 211cm ruckman a certainty to be in the final 22. Todd Goldstein will have the task of neutralising the influence of the giant, Sandilands' 33 hitouts against the Tigers showing no signs of rust despite missing 9 weeks of football.
The last time the sides met, Goldstein convincingly beat a less-than-100 per cent Sandilands and even received a Brownlow Medal vote for 20 hitouts, 16 possessions and 2 goals.
With the stakes higher this time around, there will be even more focus on the matchup. With Fremantle 14th in the league for clearances, the opportunity is there for North to gain a significant advantage if Goldstein allows the midfielders first use of the ball out of the square.
Young guns
Jamie Macmillan
Macmillan came in for special praise from Andrew Swallow on Channel 10's Before The Game on Thursday, with the captain praising the 20-year old for stepping up his game up and taking some pressure off the senior players.
The half-back has played every game in his third season and alongside Shaun Atley, he has provided run and dash from defence which was an area lacking last season.
With Fremantle having a multitude of small and medium forwards to deal with, Macmillan will have to be on song in attack and defence to continue his form on the way to September.
Clancee Pearce
Destined for the AFL scrapheap before Ross Lyon arrived at the Dockers, Pearce has turned his career around to be one of the mainstays of the interstate side. Finding a lot of the ball and kicking goals, he can hurt the opposition in many ways.
With David Mundy, Nathan Fyfe and co taking most of the headlines, Pearce could easily slip under the radar and hurt North on Sunday with a quality performance.
Affecting September
While North Melbourne already has 13 wins, its spot in September is not yet assured. With one win needed from the last two games, a win over Fremantle means the Roos’ trip to Skoda Stadium in Round 23 will have a home final riding on it, rather than a spot in the top eight altogether.
There will also be other teams looking on at Etihad Stadium with interest. Carlton's finals hopes rest on a North win, because a Dockers’ victory would leave them four points ahead of the Blues with an expected win in the final round against Melbourne at Patersons Stadium.
Missing in action
North Melbourne
Leigh Adams (Shoulder) - season
Tom Curran (Foot) - season
Hamish McIntosh (Knee) - season
Nathan Grima (Hamstring tendonitis) - 1 week
Cam Pedersen (Ankle) - 1 week
Daniel Wells (Calf) - 1 week
Fremantle
Greg Broughton - finger (season)
Hayden Crozier - glandular fever (TBC)
Peter Faulks - groin (test)
Jon Griffin - adductor (test)
Josh Mellington - ankle (1 week)
Viv Michie - foot (TBC)
Anthony Morabito - knee (season)
Lachie Neale - quad (1 week)
Jayden Pitt - groin (test)
Gavin Roberts - concussion (test)
