1. Form
North Melbourne
Round 11: Bye
Round 10: Lost to Hawthorn by 115 points; 9.5.59 to 27.12.174
Round 9: Defeated Brisbane by 16 points; 17.10.112 to 15.6.96
Season: 4-6, 12th, 99.81%
Gold Coast
Round 11: Lost to St Kilda by 95 points; 7.7.49 to 21.18.144
Round 10: Lost to Collingwood by 97 points; 7.10.52 to 23.11.149
Round 9: Lost to Port Adelaide by 48 points; 10.10.70 to 17.16.118
Season: 0-11, 18th, 54.34%
2. Last time they met
Round 5 2012, Etihad Stadium
North Melbourne 4.9.33, 8.13.61, 14.22.106, 17.25.127
Gold Coast 2.5.17, 9.8.62, 10.12.72, 13.15.93
Goals: Edwards (3), Petrie (3), Thomas (3), Adams (2), Harper (2), Cunnington (1), Harvey (1), Macmillan (1), McIntosh (1)
Both sides were coming off heavy losses, but it was North Melbourne that responded best. After a tight first half, a six-goal third quarter broke the game open and allowed North to cruise to a comfortable 34-point win. It was the third win of the season for the Kangaroos.
3. Travel bug
Since the start of 2011, North has only won three of its 11 matches interstate; against Gold Coast (Round 12, 2011), Port Adelaide (Round 14, 2011) and Greater Western Sydney (Round 2, 2012). In its eight losses, the average margin has been about five goals, yet if the defeat to Hawthorn two weeks ago is taken out, the number dips to approximately three goals.
This might suggest despite a poor win-loss record, positive results aren't too far away for the Roos. Last year's victorious trip to Metricon should also help their preparation.
4. The Ablett factor
When North played Gold Coast in Round 5, it did not have to deal with Suns' captain Gary Ablett running rampant. In his absence the Suns were able to go step-for-step with North for the first half, so in theory his addition should make the trip to Metricon much tougher.
While Ablett has only played against North Melbourne twice since 2009, he has averaged more than 35 disposals and even managed two Brownlow votes despite his team losing by almost 10 goals in the corresponding match last season. In recent weeks, Levi Greenwood has tagged the opposition's best midfielders and he could be an option to play on Ablett.
5. Key players
North Melbourne
Jack Ziebell
When Ziebell has minimal influence on a game, North tends to struggle. For example, in Round 9, Brisbane started its comeback almost immediately after Ziebell was substituted off the ground. His own form has been middling over recent weeks as he has been battling soreness, stemming from heavy falls against Port Adelaide.
The bye should freshen Ziebell up and if his first game of the season against Geelong is anything to go by, he could be in for a high-possession game on Saturday night.
Gold Coast
Karmichael Hunt
In Round 5, there was controversy after Hunt made ample use of his big frame in several contests. There ended up being no repercussions and coach Brad Scott's comments post-game indicated how highly he thought of Hunt's improvement since his debut.
Heading into 2012, Hunt's career high for possessions was 13. In his 11 games this season, he has equaled or bettered that number on 10 occasions. Add that to the significant increase in his tackling numbers and it is clear Hunt is improving by the week.
6. Waiting in the wings
Robbie Tarrant
In greasy conditions on Saturday, Tarrant shone for Werribee in its Foxtel Cup win at the MCG. His ability to take contested marks could give North another big target up forward.
It can also work in the opposite direction. In Round 5, Tarrant was able to provide a secondary target which gave Petrie more room to move. Petrie ended with three goals while causing the Gold Coast defence all sorts of headaches.
7. Bouncing back
The 115-point loss to Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium was North's 10th highest on record and its 17th highest score conceded. Unsurprisingly it has left the Roos' season teetering at four wins and six losses, two games outside the eight.
After a similar loss last year (117-points to Collingwood), North responded with two successive wins to push right back into the finals mix. Without a similar reaction this time around, September could quickly become a pipedream.
