North Melbourne returns to Darwin this weekend for the first time since Round 12, 2022 to challenge the Gold Coast Suns at TIO Stadium.

The Roos are still hunting for their first win of the season and will look to capitalise on the Suns' down form following their QClash loss to Brisbane at the Gabba last week.

Round 9, Gold Coast Suns v North Melbourne

Where: TIO Stadium, Darwin, NT
When: Saturday, May 11 at 7.30pm AEST (7pm ACST)
How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo Sports

The opposition

Road trips have proved a challenge for the Suns in their first season under new coach Damien Hardwick. While home wins against Richmond, Adelaide, Hawthorn and West Coast have kept them within a game of the top eight, they are yet to win away. Young gun Jack Lukosius may hold the key for them to reverse that trend and atone for their disappointing showing against the Lions. The Roos can expect Lukosius to return to Gold Coast's forward line after Hardwick conceded this week it had been a mistake to play the former No.2 draft pick in defence. 

What the coaches have said

North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson, on Thursday: "As long as the endeavour's great and the intent is great by our players, we know improvement will come. We couldn't question the guys in terms of their effort to apply themselves when they come to train. So we just slowly and gradually get better, but that'll take a period of time rather than it all happening overnight."

Gold Coast senior coach Damien Hardwick, post-game v Brisbane: "I'm eight games in. How smooth did you think it was going to be? It's going to be up and down. That's the reality of where we're at. We know where the gap is. We need to get better. We need to start getting off the porch and running with the big dogs. We're not off the porch yet."

Running hot

George Wardlaw

Wardlaw's effort in defeat against the Saints at Marvel Stadium last Saturday couldn’t be questioned.

The onball bull started hot with a goal before going onto finish with 22 possessions, 10 of which were contested, and a team-high seven score involvements.

An intriguing first-time match-up with Gold Coast's Matt Rowell awaits the No.6 on Saturday night – a head-to-head that will be worth tuning in for.

Last time we met

North Melbourne capped off a disappointing 2023 campaign with a strong 35-point win over Gold Coast in the closing round, led by the sharpshooting Nick Larkey.

Larkey booted a career-high nine goals to stun the Suns at Blundstone Arena, helping the Roos claim their third win of the year and their first since Round 2.

Bailey Scott put in a strong shift on his way to 33 disposals and 10 grabs, while Eddie Ford became the third Kangaroo that season to pick up a Rising Star nod after tallying three goals and 19 possessions.