LAST TIME: North Melbourne 21.16 (142) d Western Bulldogs 17.9 (111), round 17, 2011 at Etihad Stadium
After four consecutive losses to the Western Bulldogs from 2009-10, North Melbourne broke that run with an impressive 31-point victory in round 17, last season. Watching that game there was a powerful sense North, led by 41 possessions from then 20-year-old midfielder Jack Ziebell, was a young team on the rise, while the Bulldogs were on the wane after their 2008-10 preliminary final appearances.
Although North has continued to improve through the development of youngsters such as Ryan Bastinac, Jamie Macmillan and Shaun Atley this season, the Bulldogs have also been rejuvenated by the likes of Luke Dahlhaus, Tom Liberatore and Mitchell Wallis. The Kangaroos' youth-based rebuild looks more advanced, however.
THE FOUR POINTS
NORTH MELBOURNE
1. Will North be flat after their trip to Perth to play West Coast last Sunday? Especially when the Bulldogs will be coming off two days' extra rest? The Kangaroos travelled to Perth twice last year and lost both of their subsequent games, to Collingwood by 87 points in round two and to Richmond by nine points in round five. However, North backed up after its previous three trips to Perth with a win, beating then ladder-leader St Kilda by five points in round 21, 2009, the Brisbane Lions by one point in round 11, 2010, and Melbourne by 10 points in round 22, 2010.
2. Drew Petrie was a colossus on North's forward line last season. Played almost solely as a stay-at-home forward for the first time in his career, Petrie kicked a career-high 48 goals and regularly logged a Mark of the Year contender, earning himself All Australian selection for the first time. However, Petrie has made a slow start to 2012, kicking just nine goals from the first six rounds. Although he's likely to be manned by the rejuvenated Brian Lake, Petrie will be determined to kick-start his season against the Bulldogs.
3. After a tough past month in which they have taken on reigning premier Geelong, the Sydney Swans at the SCG and West Coast at Patersons Stadium, the Kangaroos will be looking to bank a vital four points against the 13th-placed Bulldogs, whose wins this season have been against Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney. After slipping out of the eight with a loss to the Eagles last Sunday, North faces a relatively easier next month that includes games against the Brisbane Lions (14th) and Gold Coast (16th).
4. North has won the uncontested possession count in all of its games this season. The Kangaroos have racked up 300 more uncontested possessions than their opponents so far in 2012, the biggest discrepancy coming in round two, when they amassed a staggering 147 more uncontested possessions than GWS. In four of its six games, North has had at least 25 more uncontested possessions than their opponent.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
1. How will the Bulldogs handle the increased expectations? Last week they almost caused a boilover against Collingwood when few gave them a chance, but on the strength of that effort there will be no excuses against a side they should challenge.
2. How will the Dogs replace Easton Wood's athleticism? Wood played the best game of his career to date against the Pies before tearing a hamstring. Lukas Markovic will likely return to a key defensive role, and the Dogs might even bring in left-footer Christian Howard, who is available again after a minor knee injury.
3. Expect at least two little Bulldogs to lift. Luke Dahlhaus has been the most exciting - and perhaps best-performed - Bulldog this season and he started the game against Collingwood in a similar manner before fading in the second half. Nathan Djerrkura was also a livewire early but dropped off. Both will be keen to provide sustained energy against the Roos.
4. Also expect the three constants of the Dogs' midfield - skipper Matthew Boyd, Ryan Griffen and Daniel Cross - to be among the top possession-winners on the field. Griffen has become the team's best player, Boyd is its most consistent and Cross keeps defying his knockers.
AFL.com.au prediction: North Melbourne by 17 points
North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
Sunday 13th May 2012, 1.10pm
Etihad Stadium
Gates open at 11.30am.
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