Form
Last five: North Melbourne (3-2) v Brisbane (4-1)
One of the surprise packages of the season, Brisbane is currently third on the ladder and eyeing a spot in the top two.
North Melbourne on the other hand, is now two games outside the top eight with only six left to play.
The Lions are coming off a dominant 44 point win over Port Adelaide, and will be looking to take that momentum into the game against the Kangaroos.
North is reeling after a shattering five point loss to Essendon, and will be looking to use a win against the Lions as a platform for a finals push.
Last time we met
These sides have already met once, with Brisbane 20 point winners at Marvel Stadium in Round 2.
Lachie Neale almost single handedly won the game for the Lions, dominating the midfield in the fourth quarter and collecting 43 disposals for the game.
Shaun Higgins and Ben Cunnington were amongst the best for North, winning 38 and 36 disposals respectively, while Ben Brown was at his dangerous best kicking three goals.
Trent Dumont was out injured and will be hoping to be the difference this time around.
Tarryn Thomas also made his debut.
Key match-up
Lachie Neale vs Ben Cunnington
Two of the premier midfielders in the competition go head-to-head after Cunnington was cleared of striking.
With both players in the league’s top three for total contested possessions, total clearances and centre clearances, both provide their team with first use and will be crucial in deciding the outcome.
Neale has raised his game to a new level since moving to Brisbane, and will want to prove his Brownlow credentials by locking horns with one of the competition’s toughest inside midfielders.
Cunnington on the other hand, will be looking to get North back onto the winners list.
It’s won and lost in…
The midfield
Brisbane showed it is more than a one-man-band in the demolition of Port Adelaide.
With Neale being tagged in the first half, players like Jarryd Lyons and Dayne Zorko needed to step up, and they did.
Brisbane’s relentless midfield performance last week ensured the game was over by half time, and it will be looking to exert the same pressure against North.
The Kangaroos will be looking to prove their perceived reliance on Cunnington is also a myth.
Cunnington was restricted to just 15 disposals in the loss against Essendon, having less of an impact than North would have hoped.
With a more than able support cast including the likes of Jed Anderson and Jack Ziebell, North could prove the doubters wrong with a dominant performance.
Keep an eye on…
Ben Brown and Charlie Cameron
Brown has rocketed into second for the Coleman Medal after one of his best games of the season, kicking six goals against a Bombers.
His strength overhead was too much for the Bombers, taking twelve marks and proving himself to be a nuisance when bringing the ball to ground.
If Brown can replicate that performance, Brisbane could struggle to keep him quiet.
Cameron was at his dangerous best for the Lions, making sure the midfield dominance translated to the scoreboard.
Kicking 4.2 for the game, Cameron was sensational in difficult conditions.
The type of player who can impact the game without having much of the ball, Cameron can often create opportunities from nothing. North’s defence will no doubt have its hands full trying to contain him.
