Round 15
Essendon v North Melbourne
Sunday, July 1
Etihad Stadium
First bounce: 3.20pm (AEST)

Storyline

As North Melbourne and Essendon continue their push towards September football, Sunday’s clash could prove vital in the campaigns of both sides.

For North, it is currently occupying eighth spot, preventing a drop to as far as tenth with a nail-biting win over the Bulldogs last weekend.

In 12th position is Essendon, which is coming-off the back of an upset win over West Coast, keeping the Bombers in touch of the top eight.

With both sides capable of beating the competition’s best on their day, this match is set to be an intriguing one.

Stopping big Ben

He’s leading the Coleman Medal race through 14 rounds, he’s in red-hot form following a five-goal haul last weekend and he’s North’s main source of goals.

Ben Brown is in career-best form and has been causing headaches for opposition defences all season, and could do the same this weekend if his record against the Bombers is anything to go by. 

In his five career games against Essendon, Brown has kicked 15 goals, including a six-goal outing in Round 18 last season, and two bags of four, one of which was in the 2014 Elimination Final.

Dons defender Cale Hooker has never played on Brown, given Michael Hurley has usually been assigned the task, and the former has had stints as a forward. But this week, he could get the big job. 

Not many backmen have been able to minimise Brown’s impact in one-on-one situations, meaning the Bombers may need to implement a team defence if they are to keep him quiet.

With service from the likes of Shaun Higgins, Ben Cunnington and potentially Ben Jacobs, it’s tough to stop Brown on the lead, which forces opponents to pressure the ball carrier and get in the way of his leading patterns.

Importance of Jacobs

After being a late withdrawal from the Bulldogs match, Ben Jacobs has been named in North’s squad for this weekend.

Jacobs, who has returned with a vengeance this season after a long stint on the sidelines, has been an integral part of North’s midfield and was greatly missed last week.

Given the peculiarity of his concussion, the 26-year-old’s condition is being assessed on a day-by-day basis, and he will be given every chance to prove his fitness.

He would be a very handy inclusion for North given his ability to run with players and minimise their impact, a skill which is likely to be needed against a talented Essendon midfield.

If he lines up, it’s likely Jacobs will be assigned to young star Zach Merrett who has hit his straps in the past fortnight, collecting 29 and 30 disposals against the Lions and Eagles respectively.

Tackles galore

Despite the speed and outside run of both sides, the Roos and Dons are quite impressive tackling sides.

Essendon ranks fourth in tackles per game, averaging 68.2, less than four more than North, which ranks ninth.

Recruit Devon Smith leads the charge for the Bombers, averaging 8.15 tackles per game, the most of any player in the competition.

He is widely considered as one of the best pressure players in the competition, and very rarely lets an opponent get past him, which often forces turnovers and plays into the strengths of his side.

For North, Ben Jacobs is the leading tackler with an average of seven per match.

Essendon side

B Cale Hooker, Matt Dea, Brendon Goddard
HB Adam Saad, Michael Hurley, David Myers
C Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett, Andrew McGrath
HF Devon Smith, Shaun McKernan, Mitch Brown
F Orazio Fantasia, Jake Stringer, Mark Baguley
FOL Tom Bellchambers, Kyle Langford, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
I/C Travis Colyer, Conor McKenna, Matt Guelfi, Kobe Mutch, James Stewart, Josh Green, Patrick Ambrose, Aaron Francis

In: Travis Colyer, Kobe Mutch, James Stewart, Patrick Ambrose, Aaron Francis
Out: Mason Redman (Injured)

Burning questions

Who wins the ruck battle?
After one of Todd Goldstein’s strongest performances of the season, North’s big man will find himself up against another ruckman who has rediscovered his form this year, Tom Bellchambers.

Who will claim the bragging rights on Sunday?

Talls v small - who wins?
North is one of the few defences that plays with three genuine talls, and it has held its own this year.

Scott Thompson, Robbie Tarrant and Majak Daw will come up against a small Essendon forward-line in which Shaun McKernan is the only recognised tall forward, flanked by the likes of Jake Stringer, Conor McKenna and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti. How will North’s defence hold up?

Can Essendon maintain its form?
The Dons are in red-hot form winning four of their past five matches, with their only loss coming at the hands of the reigning premiers, Richmond. Wins over West Coast, GWS and Sydney have highlighted Essendon's past month, and a win over North would only add to that.