Who: North Melbourne v Gold Coast
Where and when: Etihad Stadium, Saturday April 29, 7:25pm EST
TV and radio: Broadcast guide
Tickets: Purchase tickets
Storyline
Looking for their first win of the season, North takes on a Gold Coast side smarting from a heavy loss last weekend.
The Kangaroos fell by less than a goal for the third time in 2017, while the Suns conceded 23 goals to Adelaide at Metricon Stadium.
Over the last few years, the contests between the two sides have been evenly matched, with North holding a narrow 4-3 head-to-head edge.
Hot topics
Quarter by quarter
Both sides have periods in the game where they excel at hitting the scoreboard. Coincidentally that falls right into the opponent’s weakness this Saturday.
North has had its most scoring shots in the first quarter, only losing one in five rounds.
It’s also been the quarter where Gold Coast has conceded the most points, with opponents scoring seven goals in three separate opening terms.
On the other hand, the Suns’ two wins have been underpinned by third quarter blitzes – seven goals against Carlton in Round 4 and a massive 10-goal haul against Hawthorn in Round 3.
From a North perspective, the third term has consistently been the one where games have changed. Despite only winning one of five, the Roos have outscored sides in the first 10 minutes of the quarter.
It’s from there until the three quarter time siren where opponents have been able to turn the tide; North is -42 in that time.
Centre square clearances
North is coming up against a side which far and away leads the league in centre bounce clearances this season.
The Suns are +32 on the season, with Jarrod Witts giving a rotating cast of midfielders the opportunity to have first use over and over again.
Interestingly, it hasn’t translated to scoreboard success. Despite those extra 32 clearances, opponents have outscored Gold Coast from the centre bounce by five points on the season.
North’s formula has been almost the exact reverse. It has had nine fewer centre clearances (74-65), but has comfortably outscored its opposition (102-64).
Taking advantage of turnovers
When teams have been able to catch Gold Coast on the rebound, it has generally led to good results.
In the Suns’ three losses this season – to Brisbane, Adelaide and GWS – they have conceded an average of 100 points per game from turnovers.
Their quantity of turnovers hasn’t been high, ranked only seventh in the competition across those rounds combined.
It’s a relevant number for the Roos, because they haven’t been a team to force a high number of turnovers.
Currently ranked 14th in the league for turnovers forced, they can take note of the potential to catch the Suns in transition at Etihad Stadium.
The burning questions
How will the team changes affect the structure?
Higgins and Anderson’s inclusion gives North two players capable of spending high periods of time either midfield or forward if needed.
Which team will hold up defensively?
With both sides conceding more than 100 points per game, a shootout is possible.
Can Cunnington continue his impressive form in game 150?
Averaging nearly 28 disposals per game in 2017, Cunnington has been one of North’s best since his return from suspension.
Teams
North Melbourne
B: Marley Williams, Robbie Tarrant, Aaron Mullett
HB: Lachlan Hansen, Scott Thompson, Luke McDonald
C: Jamie Macmillan, Ben Cunnington, Kayne Turner
HF: Taylor Garner, Ben Brown, Shaun Higgins
F: Nathan Hrovat, Mason Wood, Jy Simpkin
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Jack Ziebell, Trent Dumont
Int: Jed Anderson, Shaun Atley, Ed Vickers-Willis, Sam Gibson
Emer: Ryan Clarke, Braydon Preuss, Corey Wagner
In: Shaun Higgins, Jed Anderson
Out: Andrew Swallow, Lindsay Thomas (both omitted)
Gold Coast
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Jack Leslie, Jesse Joyce
HB: Sean Lemmens, Kade Kolodjashnij, Adam Saad
C: Brayden Fiorini, Gary Ablett, Matt Rosa
HF: Jarryd Lyons, Tom Lynch, Alex Sexton
F: Brandon Matera, Peter Wright, Jack Martin
Fol: Jarrod Witts, Aaron Hall, Michael Barlow
Int: Jesse Lonergan, Touk Miller, Callum Ah Chee, Jack Bowes
Emer: Matt Shaw, Keegan Brooksby, Brad Scheer
In: Jesse Lonergan
Out: David Swallow (rested)
