North Melbourne’s four week block immediately on return from the bye has the potential to make or break its season.
The Kangaroos’ record of 6-6 has them sitting just outside the final eight, yet they could conceivably start as favourites in all of their next four matches. Win all four and September will be on the horizon. A split will leave a battle for the lower reaches of the eight, while anything worse will leave 2015 on its last legs.
NMFC.com.au looks at what to expect from the club’s next four opponents.
Round 14 v Gold Coast
Current Suns record: 1-10
Last Time: Gold Coast 18.12.120 defeated North Melbourne 11.11.77 – Round 7, 2014
Ignore Gold Coast’s record and position on the ladder. By the time North travels to Metricon Stadium, the Suns could have all of Gary Ablett, Harley Bennell, David Swallow, Steven May and Rory Thompson back in the 22.
The injuries to seemingly every best 22 player have cruelled the Suns’ hopes of a strong first season under Rodney Eade. However in their recent performances against Hawthorn, Sydney and Fremantle, the expansion club has started to show glimpses of what they're capable of. With the top-line talent coming back, Gold Coast could be the most dangerous spoiler in the run home.
After the match against the Suns, North moves into a three-week block of sides it has already defeated in 2015.
Round 15 v Geelong
Current Cats record: 6-6
Last Time: North Melbourne 12.11.83 defeated Geelong 10.7.67 – Round 4, 2015
In the reverse fixture, North won its first game at Simonds Stadium since 2007 through a last quarter burst. Four goals in just seven minutes split the game open, with debutant Trent Dumont involved in the thick of the action.
Geelong has been inconsistent so far in 2015. Its last two weeks have been a perfect reflection of that – following an impressive win on the road against Port Adelaide with a loss at home against Melbourne in Corey Enright’s 300th match.
However its best is still more than capable of blowing teams away, as North knows well from previous meetings.
Round 16 v Essendon
Current Bombers record: 4-7
Last time: North Melbourne 13.15.93 defeated Essendon 12.10.82 – Round 7, 2015
In a game North fans circle in the calendar every year, there is the chance for the Kangaroos to win their third straight against the Bombers. Earlier in the season, North pulled away late behind Shaun Higgins and Jack Ziebell goals.
Considering Essendon’s current record, by the time Round 16 rolls around it could be facing a must-win match to keep its September hopes alive. In front of what will no doubt be a sizable crowd at Etihad, the atmosphere will be charged as always.
Round 17 v Brisbane
Current Lions record: 2-9
Last time: North Melbourne 20.13.133 defeated Brisbane 7.9.51 – Round 2, 2015
This is the big one. If all goes to schedule, Brent Harvey will play his 400th match against the Lions at the Gabba.
It has traditionally been a bogey ground of sorts for the Kangaroos – only one win in their previous 11 matches at the venue.
Considering North has yet to lose any of Harvey’s milestone matches, a perfect eight from eight, it could be the perfect antidote to the poor record. There is also the matter of how the corresponding match finished last year.
After a heart breaking four-point loss, there was a heated post-mortem between Harvey and Lions’ captain Tom Rockliff.
