North Melbourne will be looking to pick up a second win for the season on Saturday when it faces Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium.

It's been a promising month for the Roos who have produced a handful of valiant efforts, but they'll be hoping they can turn one into a victory in front of their home crowd.

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Round 17, North Melbourne v Gold Coast
Where: Marvel Stadium, Docklands, VIC
When: Saturday, July 6 at 1.45pm AEST
How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo Sports

The opposition

The Suns (8-7) claimed their biggest win of the campaign last time out, holding off the reigning premier Collingwood to win by 11 points at People First Stadium.

Noah Anderson was at his best in the midfield, winning a game-high 39 disposals to go along with eight marks, six clearances, and five tackles, while Ben King was a deadeye in front of goals finishing with four goals straight.

The win over Collingwood extended their winning streak at home venues to seven, but they are yet to pick up points in Victoria this season.

What the coaches have said

North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson, post-game v Western Bulldogs: "It was pleasing once again that instead of the game slipping away after three quarter-time and it ending in a five, six, eight-goal loss, we were able to pull it back and put some respectability on the scoreboard. But the better side got the four points because over the four quarters they were more consistent."

06:37

AFL R16 match highlights: North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs

The Kangaroos and Bulldogs clash in Round 16

Gold Coast senior coach Damien Hardwick on Wednesday: "The North Melbourne we played in Round 9 – this is a different side completely (now). We need to make sure we come ready to play because they've caught sides off-guard, and they've been in games until the very end."

Running hot

Darcy Tucker

In his second year as a Roo, Tucker has managed to lock down his spot in North Melbourne's in 2024 and was one of the side's best in the loss to the Bulldogs.

He was busy at Marvel Stadium last Saturday, notching seven marks, five tackles and a career-high 30 disposals while going at 83 per cent efficiency.

03:20

'We can't get ourselves in those positions': Tucker

NMFC Media speaks to Darcy Tucker after the loss to the Western Bulldogs

"I'm happy to play whatever role is needed for the team, whether its wing, half-back, half-forward," Tucker said post-game last weekend.

"I've got a lot to learn (playing at half-back) as well, so I'm just looking to grow – even at my age – and take some good form into the back half of the year."

Last time we met 

The Suns were too strong when the two clubs met back in Round 9 of this season, winning by 68 points at TIO Stadium in Darwin.

Jaidyn Stephenson kicked the Kangas' first goal in the hot and humid conditions but began to fall away following quarter-time as Gold Coast ramped up the intensity.

While it was mostly a sour evening for the visitors, young gun Colby McKercher came away with the Round 9 Rising Star nomination after tallying 30 possessions and 596 metres gained.