North Melbourne v Footscray
Sunday, August 18 – 12pm
Arden Street
North Melbourne’s VFL team will look to finish its campaign on a winning note when it takes on Footscray at home on Sunday.
The game has been moved to midday from its original start time of 2pm.
It looms as a huge task for David Loader’s team, which sits 13th with just five wins, against the third-placed Bulldogs, with 12 wins.
Talking points
- Speedster Tom McKenzie makes his long-awaited return from a back injury for the final game of the year.
McKenzie recorded the best 20 metre sprint time at the 2018 NAB AFL Draft Combine, and has been named in a back-pocket.
- Mason Wood looms as a key target in the Roos’ forward half, after being omitted from the AFL side.
The teams
North Melbourne
B: 36. J. Crocker, 40. T. Murphy, 39. T. McKenzie
HB: 61. C. Jansen, 23. B. McKay, 72. D. Robinson
C: 51. T. Hotchin, 59. N. Holmes, 8. N. Hrovat
HF: 45. R. Murphy, 38. T. Xerri, 21. D. Tyson
F: 46. L. Hosie, 32. M. Wood, 56. B. Whitecross
R: 42. T. Campbell, 53. T. Leonardis, 52. N. Rippon
Int: 75. C. Hodges, 70. N. Hogan, 74. B. McLaughlin, 60. L. McLean, 79. R. Morrison, 69. R. Mutch, 71. M. Northe, 78. T. Stanton
23P: 76. J. Lohmann
In: T. McKenzie, N. Hogan, R. Mutch, L. McLean, M. Wood, B. Whitecross, M. Northe
Out: T. Wilkinson, Q. Montanaro, L. Cunningham
Footscray
B: 37. R. Smith, 2. L. Young, 40. L. Young
HB: 1. M. Suckling, 18. F. Roberts, 34. B. Williams
C: 32. W. Hayes, 46. L. Jong, 27. P. Lipinski
HF: 25. B. Cavarra, 19. L. Webb, 16. T. McLean
F: 24. B. Khamis, 26. B. Gowers, 23. L. Vandermeer
R: 41. J. Sweet, 28. C. Porter, 14. R. West
Int: 75. J. Boyd, 58. G. Gleeson, 36. B. Lynch, 66. R. McComb, 61. L. Nash, 50. J. Prudden, 56. A. Scott, 63. T. Short, 53. L. Sullivan, 57. D. Viojo-Rainbow, 67. J. Wallis, R. William
23P: 60. S. Barnett
In: D. Viojo-Rainbow, J. Boyd, L. Young, M. Suckling, S. Barnett, P. Lipinski, T. Short, T. McLean, L. Nash, W. Hayes
Out: A. Hodge, N. Drummond
Key players
North Melbourne
Mason Wood
The hard-running forward is a key inclusion in the forward half for the Roos, who have struggled for targets since Nick Larkey’s emergence at AFL level.
Alongside rookie Lachlan Hosie, the pair should provide a dangerous presence.
Footscray
Rhylee West
The son of a Bulldogs’ champion, Scott, Rhylee West enjoyed a taste at AFL level a fortnight ago.
He booted 4 goals to go with 29 disposals last week, as Footscray’s best in a big win over Essendon.
