Looking to make it two consecutive seasons of clean sweeps in Hobart, North Melbourne faces St Kilda at Blundstone Arena on Saturday afternoon.
It’s the last interstate trip for the Kangaroos before they finish the home and away season with three consecutive matches at Etihad Stadium.
Teams
North Melbourne
B: Michael Firrito, Robbie Tarrant, Lachlan Hansen
HB: Sam Wright, Scott Thompson, Ben Jacobs
C: Nick Dal Santo, Jack Ziebell, Shaun Atley
HF: Sam Gibson, Drew Petrie, Brent Harvey
F: Shaun Higgins, Jarrad Waite, Lindsay Thomas
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Andrew Swallow
Int: Luke McDonald, Taylor Garner, Robbie Nahas, Ben Brown
Emer: Mason Wood, Kayne Turner, Aaron Mullett
In: Michael Firrito
Out: Aaron Mullett (omitted)
St Kilda
B: S Gilbert, S Fisher, S Dempster
HB: J Geary, H Goddard, N Wright
C: B Acres, D Armitage, J Newnes
HF: S Ross, N Riewoldt, M Weller
F: D Minchington, J Bruce, J Sinclair
Fol: B Longer, J Steven, L Montagna
Int: T Hickey, D Roberton, J Webster, J Saunders
Emer: F Ray, T Membrey, C Shenton
In: J Webster, B Longer, J Saunders, D Minchington
Out: S Savage (hip), D McKenzie (concussion), P McCartin (soreness), J Lonie (leg)
The Hobart record
Saturday’s clash will mark the first time North Melbourne has faced a side in successive years at Blundstone Arena.
In the corresponding match last season, the Kangaroos used five unanswered first quarter goals to cruise to a 59-point victory. The Saints only scored 33 points, a mark which stands as North’s best defensive effort at its home away from home.
The Roos have won their last five games in Hobart; three of which were victories by 10 points or less. A common thread in all of the victories has been an excellent start. No opponent has managed to kick more than two goals in the first term in Blundstone Arena.
Considering North has flown out of the blocks in the last three weeks, there is every chance of it becoming a fourth.
Defensive structure
For the first time since Round 14, North’s backline will contain all of Scott Thompson, Robbie Tarrant, Lachlan Hansen and Michael Firrito.
Firrito’s return from a one-match suspension will be welcomed, with Brad Scott labelling the veteran as the club’s most consistent defender this season. After Jesse Hogan and Chris Dawes kicked seven goals between them at the MCG, it will be fascinating to see how the Kangaroos set up at Blundstone Arena.
Josh Bruce and Nick Riewoldt are the two main key forwards, with the former leading the club goal kicking on 43. Although he has had a slight decrease in form recently – six majors in the last five matches – he is an extremely capable forward with the potential for big bags of goals.
The resting ruckman of either Tom Hickey or Billy Longer will likely spend time down forward as well, playing as a third tall. It means there’ll be numerous threats for the North key defenders to deal with as they attempt to bounce back from their performance last week.
Quarter by quarter
While North has been in good form during its winning streak, one bad habit stands out; its performance in second quarters.
In the last four matches, it has failed to win a second term. However the Roos have only lost one other quarter in the same span, going 11 and 1 overall.
North’s opponent on Saturday has had similar troubles in the second quarter. The Saints are one of only two other clubs to go winless in the term during the last month, with inaccuracy their issue. A total of 3.16 has caused issues after relatively solid starts.
The troublesome term has been a constant issue for the Kangaroos. Dating back to the start of 2014, it has only won 14 of 43, one of the lowest numbers in the AFL.
