“This is a huge game for the credibility of the Kangaroos in their endeavour to be a top-line side…”
Writing his column for Fox Sports, the 1988 Brownlow Medal winner believes Todd Goldstein should be recalled.
“Intrinsic to any chance they have though is Goldstein and (Hamish) McIntosh mounting a strong challenge to the best ruck combination in the game,” he wrote.
“Breaking even would be a great start in what is at present one of the toughest assignments in footy.
“It's time the Goldstein stood tall in 2012 and hopefully he gets a chance.”
Healy also identified the stoppages as a ‘strength and weakness of the Kangaroos’.
“They're one of the highest-scoring teams from stoppages but they're also one of the easiest to score against in this area.
“If the opposition win the clearance then North are scored against 32.1 per cent of the time - the highest percentage conceded in the competition and this is not good against West Coast, who are lethal if they extract it from the centre.”
Critical to North’s hopes of a win Healy says, is the way it contends with Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui.
“The potency of Cox and Naitanui is great to watch. Together they launch more scoring chains than any other two individuals by a long way.
“Nic Naitanui has launched 20 scores this season, four more than any other player in the competition. Pleasing for the Eagles is the fact that Dean Cox is equal second in that category.”
As far as timing goes, Healy says North will play West Coast at the perfect time given the home side’s wretched run with injury of late.
“North Melbourne will give themselves a sneaky chance to win this game with the Eagles' injury list now including Josh Kennedy and John Worsfold's team trying to get up for a sixth straight win.”
