WHO: North Melbourne v Sydney
WHERE AND WHEN: Blundstone Arena, Saturday, August 20, 1.45pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Broadcast guide
TICKETS: Purchase tickets

THE LAST FIVE

R10, 2016, Sydney Swans 14.7 (92) d North Melbourne 9.11 (65) at the SCG
SF, 2015, North Melbourne 11.11 (77) d Sydney Swans 7.9 (51) at ANZ Stadium
R11, 2015, Sydney Swans 14.7 (91) d North Melbourne 10.15 (75) at Etihad Stadium
PF, 2014, Sydney Swans 19.22 (136) d North Melbourne 9.11 (65) at ANZ Stadium
R4, 2014, North Melbourne 13.13 (91) d Sydney Swans 6.12 (48) at the SCG

SUMMARY (AFL.COM.AU)

The stakes could barely be higher as the Sydney Swans visit Hobart for the second time in their history. Despite another percentage-boosting victory over St Kilda last week, the Swans are still in a fight for a top-two spot and need to keep winning well to secure a home qualifying final.

Fresh off a dominant six-goal haul that ended St Kilda's finals hopes, Lance Franklin looms as a major stumbling block for the struggling Roos.

North boasts an impressive record at Blundstone Arena, winning eight in a row, but Brad Scott's side was blown out of the water early by Hawthorn last round and is facing a fight to hold onto eighth spot.

Another defeat, combined with Melbourne beating Carlton, and the Roos will enter round 23 potentially playing for their season against Greater Western Sydney.

Ben Brown is back into the North Melbourne side.

THE HEADLINES

ET: Roos to bring best
Sydney coach John Longmire expects nothing less than North Melbourne’s best on Saturday… MORE

Swallow to make history
"I've been able to surround myself with some really good leaders and the next generation of guys who have made my job so much easier."… MORE

A massive opportunity
"We still have a massive opportunity and we are still in a good position to play finals, to give ourselves another shot at trying to go one better than last year."… MORE

TEAMS

North Melbourne

Backs S.Thompson 16 M.Firrito 11 S.Atley 18
Half Backs J.Macmillan 34 R.Tarrant 25 N.Dal Santo 15
Centreline J.Ziebell 7 T.Dumont 14 D.Wells 8
Half Forwards B.Harvey 29 B.Brown 50 L.Hansen 6
Forwards L.Thomas 12 D.Petrie 20 M.Daw 38
Followers T.Goldstein 22 B.Cunnington 10 A.Swallow 9
Interchange B.McKenzie 2 J.Anderson 3 A.Mullett 17 S.Gibson 43
Emergencies R.Clarke 13 R.Nahas 28 J.Tippett 36

In: S.Thompson, B.Brown
Out: R.Nahas (Omitted), R.Clarke (Omitted)

Sydney

Backs N.Smith 40 A.Aliir 36 D.Rampe 24
Half Backs C.Mills 14 H.Grundy 39 J.McVeigh 3
Centreline J.Lloyd 44 J.Kennedy 12 D.Hannebery 4
Half Forwards I.Heeney 5 L.Franklin 23 H.Cunningham 7
Forwards X.Richards 42 G.Rohan 16 T.Papley 41
Followers S.Naismith 35 L.Parker 26 T.Mitchell 6
Interchange G.Hewett 29 B.McGlynn 21 D.Towers 22 K.Tippett 8
Emergencies H.Marsh 31 T.Nankervis 13 J.Rose 1

In: B.McGlynn, K.Tippett
Out: K.Jack (Foot), T.Nankervis (Omitted)

Kurt Tippett is set to make his return for Sydney.

THE COACH SAID - BRAD SCOTT

"We're looking to play our best footy to make an impact in September and it's not about just getting there. That would insinuate that we were happy to finish eighth – we're not happy to finish eighth.

"Once round 23 is done there's a week off before eight clubs get to launch an assault on the finals and that's what we're looking at.

"But we're going to have to play some pretty good footy in the next two weeks to get that opportunity."

THE OPPOSITION SAID - JOHN LONGMIRE

“At this time of the year, all teams have got something to play for, no matter who you play up against.

“We understand what St Kilda’s mindset was last week, and we’ll understand what North Melbourne’s mindset is this week.

“It’s more about what we can do and what we need to do. We need to be competitive and play a really strong brand of footy as well.”

THE FIVE STATS (AFL.com.au)

1. The Swans have dominated the Kangaroos since 2008, winning 10 of their 13 meetings.

2. The Swans relish contested football and are the number one tackling side (79.8 per game), while North Melbourne is ranked 14th (67.2 per game).

3. The Swans are among the competition's elite for scoring (99ppg, ranked fourth) and defending (67ppg, ranked first).

4. The Kangaroos have lost seven of their last nine games, kicking only 76ppg, after averaging 100ppg in the opening 12 matches.

5. North will have its work cut out stopping the Swans' three star midfielders Josh Kennedy (fourth), Luke Parker (14th) and Dan Hannebery 19th), who are all ranked top 20 in the Schick Official AFL Player Ratings.

6. North has built Blundstone Arena into a fortress, winning the past eight games at the venue stretching back to round three, 2013 when the Swans last came to town.

Majak Daw was a strong performer in the Roos' last match at Blundstone Arena, in Round 11.

THE BURNING QUESTIONS

Can North stop Franklin?
Robbie Tarrant did well to keep Franklin to 15 disposals and three goals the last time the teams met. He'll need a similar performance this time around, particularly given the Swans' forward produced those same numbers in just a quarter last week.

The North defender was a clear best afield last week, so it looms as another huge battle in the context of the game.

Lachlan Hansen's inclusion could be welcomed, with the number six able to drift across to give his fellow defenders a valuable chop-out.

Who wins the midfield battle?
The likes of Tom Mitchell, Kennedy and Hannebery were dominant in Round 10, and North's onballers will no doubt have a point to prove this time around.

Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington and Andrew Swallow will have a huge role to play in the result, in what's been described as a "mouth-watering battle" by Swans' assistant Josh Francou.

The inclusion of Kurt Tippett will make the job tougher for Todd Goldstein, but he'll no doubt enjoy having Majak Daw to provide some assistance.

Who kicks the goals?
North's tall trio of Drew Petrie, Ben Brown and Jarrad Waite combined for just one goal last time around.

Waite won't be there this time, with Daw sure to be a strong target in attack.

Lindsay Thomas booted three goals at the SCG, and he, along with the likes of Brent Harvey and Jed Anderson will play a vital role once the ball hits the ground.

The Swans have conceded over 100 points just three times this season, and no more than 83 points since Round 13, so no one will be expecting a shootout come Saturday afternoon.

Missed opportunities in front of goal proved costly for the Roos in Round 10. They have to avoid a repeat performance.

Lindsay Thomas and Brent Harvey will be vital around the goals.