North Melbourne v Frankston
Sunday, July 22
Frankston Oval
First bounce: 12.00pm (AEST)

Storyline

North Melbourne will look to reignite its finals hopes with a win over Frankston at Skybus Stadium.

Both sides will enter Sunday afternoon’s game with their backs against the wall, with the Roos having lost consecutive games to the competition-leading Richmond and Casey.

Meanwhile, Frankston has to plans to end its barren run, having lost seven games in a row.

A win for North will boost its chances for a finals berth, being just a game and percentage away from a place inside the eight.

Battle in the centre

North’s midfield brigade continues to post impressive numbers, challenging some of the best engine rooms in the competition.

The efforts of tireless trio Nick Rippon, Nash Holmes and co-captain Chris Jansen were on display at Holm Park last weekend, with the individual numbers highlighting their contribution for the Roos.

Although the scoreboard displayed a big defeat, their individual contributions were evident.

Jansen showed his ability to threaten up forward, slotting a goal with the outside of his right boot after escaping from the surrounding pack at an earlier stoppage.

His effort, which was listed as the Intuitive Finance 'Play of the Week’, underlines just how dangerous he can be when granted space and quick possession.

As Frankston continues to rely heavily on the menacing Will Fordham and Alfie Jarnestrom, who were the Dolphins’ leading ball-winners in the centre against Coburg, their handling will prove to be crucial.

The pair combined for 47 disposals, with former Kangaroo Fordham also laying nine tackles at Piranha Park.

Larkey's back

After missing last week’s game against Richmond due to his selection as an emergency in North’s senior side, the key forward returns, looking to regain his place atop the VFL scoring charts.

Despite his absence, the dominant tall is just four goals away from the top spot, with Port Melbourne’s Jordan Lisle leading the competition with 33 goals.

The 20-year-old was a key presence in the last meeting between the two sides, booting a bag of four goals.

With his name continuing to be in the conversation for a return to the AFL side, a replica of his Round 3 performance could prove to be a turning point.

Ruck leaders collide

Braydon Preuss’ rich vein of form has continued, adding to an already stellar season.

The big man has been a standout in the ruck, proving increasingly difficult to handle when dishing out silver service to his surrounding rovers, even in losing results against both Casey and Richmond.

The 23-year-old was opposed by alternating rucks against the Tigers, but still came out on top despite being continually challenged by fresher opponents for the best part of four quarters.

This could change on Sunday, with Frankston’s Lewis Pierce slated to challenge Preuss for the majority of the afternoon.

Statistically speaking, Preuss and Pierce hold two of the top three spots in the competition for hit-outs.

Preuss leads the competition with an imposing 619 in 13 games, while Pierce is listed at third with his 420 hit-outs in 10 games.

Frankston team

B: Williams, Gray, Young
HB: Hillard, Batchelor, Kelly
C: Ferreira, Fordham, Jarnestrom
HF: Mullane, Elton, Rich
F: Gill-Renouf, Downie, Hura
R: Pierce, Scagliarini, Harnett
Int: Cox, Fowler, Lovett, McCarthy, McHale, Pertzel, Wilson, Wyatt
23P: Allsop

Burning questions

Which side will end its losing streak?
A positive result will go a long way for both sides, who are looking for a change in fortune.

Frankston showed promise in patches, before falling to the then winless Coburg last weekend. Meanwhile, North offered glimpses of its potential against Richmond, providing a real arm-wrestle for two quarters.

Will North opt for the aerial route again?
In the only other meeting between North and Frankston, it was a day to remember for tall forwards.

Nick Larkey and co-captain Michael Close combined for eight goals, with the visitors struggling to contain high-balls within its defensive 50.

Although North will be without Close, the return of Larkey, alongside existing tall options Oscar Junker and Lachlan Mirams could be a viable option.

Can North get revenge?
Frankston’s thrilling 13-point win in Round 3 is one of just two wins this season for the Dolphins.

With the Roos looking to close distance on the eight, a win as well as the opportunity to make amends for a disappointing performance earlier in the season will be clear motivation.

VRGF Love the Game Round

This weekend AFL Victoria in partnership with the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation is holding a dedicated, state-wide Love The Game themed round, and we're proud to be taking part.

Research shows that 75 per cent of kids think betting is a normal part of sport and this doesn't sit well with us, so we're taking the focus off the odds and putting it back where it belongs, on the game we all love.

We encourage all footy fans to have the talk with kids in their life and remind them that betting and sport don't have to go together.

For information on how to start the conversation, visit lovethegame.vic.gov.au.

Fans are invited to attend Sunday’s VFL match against Frankston at Skybus Stadium, with the first bounce at 12.00pm.