If the Kangaroos defeat Adelaide, they could jump into the top four at the conclusion of the weekend.
Teams
North Melbourne
B: Luke McDonald, Scott Thompson, Lachlan Hansen
HB: Nick Dal Santo, Michael Firrito, Aaron Mullett
C: Sam Gibson, Andrew Swallow, Levi Greenwood
HF: Ryan Bastinac, Aaron Black, Leigh Adams
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Brent Harvey
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington
Int: Liam Anthony, Shaun Atley, Robbie Tarrant, Robbie Nahas
Emer: Brad McKenzie, Ben Jacobs, Sam Wright
In: Robbie Tarrant, Lindsay Thomas
Out: Majak Daw (omitted), Sam Wright (omitted)
Adelaide
B: Ben Rutten, Daniel Talia, Brodie Smith
HB: Luke Brown, Andy Otten, Rory Laird
C: David Mackay, Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane
HF: Eddie Betts, James Podsiadly, Matthew Wright
F: Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins, Sam Kerridge
Fol:: Sam Jacobs, Scott Thompson, Richard Douglas
Int: Brent Reilly, Matthew Jaensch, Brodie Martin, Matt Crouch
Emer: Luke Thompson, Jarryd Lyons, Mitch Grigg
In: Brent Reilly, Matthew Crouch, Matthew Wright
Out: Charlie Cameron (groin), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (omitted), Jarryd Lyons (omitted)
Snapping another hoodoo
2014 has been a year to break streaks that had been going against North in previous seasons. So far in the first 12 rounds, the side has beaten Sydney for the first time since 2007, defeated a Ross Lyon-led side for the first time under Brad Scott and triumphed over West Coast for the first time since 2010.
Adelaide - and by extension games against the Crows in South Australia - poses another challenge for the Kangaroos. The last time North returned from Adelaide with a victory against the Crows was way back in 2003, more than a decade ago.
Only two players from that game in Round 21 will take the field on Saturday night for North - Brent Harvey and Drew Petrie.
Previous history
Two losses to Adelaide by a combined total of 10 points in 2013 don't make for happy reading.
Yet despite the frustrating memories, the games did indicate North's ability to go on sparkling offensive runs. Even in the game at AAMI Stadium in Round 20 where the Kangaroos only kicked 10 goals, they wiped out a 26-point deficit in little more than 10 minutes of action.
On the other hand, the edge Adelaide received from winning two close encounters will be judged if a third straight close game occurs on Saturday night.
New venues
When North takes the field at Adelaide Oval, it will be the 31st ground it has played at in the VFL/AFL competition.
12 of those grounds are still active, with North having a 6-6 record in the first time it has played at each venue.
It has defeated the GWS Giants and Brisbane twice each, with further wins coming over Geelong and Port Adelaide. The losses have come to Hawthorn (twice), Geelong, Melbourne, Sydney and West Coast.
Quick starts
Before 2014, North's interstate record did not make for pretty viewing. However this season it has been a perfect three-for-three, laying the foundation for a strong second half of the year.
It's often been stated that the recipe for success interstate lies behind a quick start; the theory being the crowd is quietened early, having less of an impact on the atmosphere.
In the three interstate wins this season, North has simply managed to stay on terms with its opponent - heading into time-on of each first quarter, it has trailed twice (Sydney, Fremantle) while holding only a slim lead against West Coast.
Saturday evening may be the Kangaroos' chance to put the foot down and accelerate to a strong lead. Adelaide's first quarters have been statistically its worst in offensive production, while it's only narrowly behind the final term for the most points conceded.
If North can continue its scoreboard explosion from the second half against Richmond, its defensive ability can be enough to ride a game out after earning an advantage.
