WHO: Gold Coast v North Melbourne
WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday, April 23, 4.35pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Broadcast guide
TICKETS: Purchase tickets

THE LAST FIVE:

R14, 2015, Gold Coast 19.11 (125) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70) at Metricon Stadium
R7, 2014, Gold Coast 18.12 (120) d North Melbourne 11.11 (77) at Etihad Stadium
R11, 2013, Gold Coast 9.12 (66) d North Melbourne 8.3 (51) at Metricon Stadium
R12, 2012, North Melbourne 11.21 (87) d Gold Coast 12.8 (80) at Metricon Stadium
R5, 2012, North Melbourne 17.25 (127) d Gold Coast 13.15 (93) at Etihad Stadium

SUMMARY (AFL.COM.AU):

If North Melbourne wants to remain the AFL's only unbeaten outfit after round five, it will have to overcome its bogey team Gold Coast. Despite always finishing lower on the ladders, the Suns have won the past three matches against the Kangaroos, including two at Metricon Stadium. This match-up looks a case of North's inside grunt up against Gold Coast's outside speed. The Kangaroos have possessed the most potent attack in the game through the first month of the season and should have enough weapons to sneak home here.

Robbie Tarrant has been named in the North side, despite an ankle scare last week. 

THE HEADLINES:

ET: Currie to debut (Apr 21, 2016)
Former Kangaroo Daniel Currie will make his Gold Coast debut on Saturday at Metricon Stadium... MORE

Tarrant likely to face Suns (Apr 21, 2106)
North Melbourne key defender Robbie Tarrant is expected to play against Gold Coast on Saturday, Roos coach Brad Scott says… MORE

Opposing Threat: Gold Coast (Apr 19, 2016)
North Melbourne will face a Gold Coast side missing two of its key defenders on Saturday… MORE

TEAMS

North Melbourne

Backs M.Firrito 11 R.Tarrant 25 L.McDonald 21
Half Backs J.Macmillan 34 S.Thompson 16 S.Atley 18
Centreline S.Gibson 43 D.Wells 8 N.Dal Santo 15
Half Forwards B.Brown 50 J.Waite 30 J.Ziebell 7
Forwards B.Harvey 29 D.Petrie 20 S.Higgins 4
Followers T.Goldstein 22 B.Cunnington 10 A.Swallow 9
Interchange L.Thomas 12 B.Jacobs 5 M.Wood 32 S.Wright 19
Emergencies L.Hansen 6 A.Mullett 17 K.Turner 40

*Late change: Kayne Turner in for Mason Wood

Fremantle

Backs M.Rosa 3 S.Day 12 A.Saad 42
Half Backs A.Sexton 6 T.McKenzie 18 K.Kolodjashnij 28
Centreline N.Malceski 7 G.Ablett 9 J.Harbrow 5
Half Forwards C.Cameron 27 T.Lynch 19 J.Martin 4
Forwards T.Miller 11 P.Wright 30 J.Grant 2
Followers D.Currie 15 M.Rischitelli 35 A.Hall 33
Interchange L.Russell 8 C.Ah Chee 13 S.Lemmens 23 J.Lonergan 37
Emergencies H.Schade 20 B.Matera 32 M.Willis 34

In: D.Currie, J.Grant, L.Russell, T.McKenzie, P.Wright
Out: R.Davis (Rested), S.May (Suspension), D.Prestia (Illness), T.Nicholls (Omitted), K.Brooksby (Omitted)

Daniel Currie will take on his old side on Saturday night. 

THE COACH SAID:

THE SIX STATS (AFL.com.au):

1. Gold Coast’s win last season was largely due to an explosive 14 goals to seven second half. Skipper Gary Ablett starred with 31 disposals and three goals, while Charlie Dixon kicked a club record seven goals.

2. The Kangaroos are ranked first for scoring this season, and are in the top two for clearance and centre clearances. Gold Coast is ranked equal fourth in scoring.

3. Ablett has enjoyed his time playing against North Melbourne since joining the Suns, polling 12 Brownlow votes in five games with two best on ground performances.

4. Gold Coast is ranked second in 2016 for marks inside 50, averaging 16 a game, thanks largely to Tom Lynch, who is ranked first with a total of 18.

5. North Melbourne is no stranger to Metricon Stadium, playing the most games at the venue outside of the two Queensland teams. It has won nine of its 14 games there. The Kangaroos are chasing five wins to start the season for the first time since 2005.

6. Jarrad Waite's four goals last weekend continued his rise up the AFL Official Player Ratings to a career-high 76th overall and 10th amongst key forwards. 

Jarrad Waite has had a big start to the 2016 season. 

THE BURNING QUESTIONS:

Can the Suns cover the absence of Steven May?
The five-game suspension handed down to defender Steven May for his high hit on Brisbane Lions ruckman Stefan Martin has dominated the headlines this week. Compounding woes, the Suns are already without fellow backman Rory Thompson (ankle), making the job of stopping North's key forwards Jarrad Waite, Drew Petrie and Ben Brown even tougher. Trent McKenzie has been called into the Suns' lineup, while Jarrad Grant is another tall option.

Who will have the task of nullifying Gary Ablett?
In the corresponding match last year, Suns skipper Gary Ablett was well held by tagger Ben Jacobs in the opening half, before running rampant in the final term to cap his best-on-ground display. The round 14 clash at Metricon Stadium last season was the dual Brownlow medallist's first game back after being ruled out indefinitely since round two to nurse his troublesome left shoulder.

Who will win the midfield battle?
In addition to Ablett, North will be wary of the Suns' other talented onballers, including speedster Aaron Hall and veteran Michael Rischitelli. The Suns ran the Roos off their feet when they met last season, in a fine display of counter-attack football. North will be mindful of the Suns' fast-paced style after being scored heavily against in their past two meetings, with running players such as Ablett, Hall and backman Adam Saad all posing threats. Ablett and Hall combined for six goals in the last encounter between the two sides.

Can North make it five wins in a row?
If the Roos prevail, it'll mark the first time since 2005 the club has won their opening five games of a season. However, the Suns have the upper edge over the Roos in recent times, winning the past three encounters. The Suns are also undefeated at their home venue so far this season, with wins against Essendon (round one) and Carlton (round three).

Who will take the points on the scoreboard?
The clash will see the competition's leading goalkickers, Tom Lynch and Waite, line up at either end of the ground. Lynch leads the Coleman Medal race with 18 goals courtesy of his five-goal haul in last Saturday's loss to the Brisbane Lions. The Suns' vice-captain is just two goals ahead of the in-form Waite, who is ranked equal second with 16 goals – alongside Sydney Swan Lance Franklin – after bagging four majors against Fremantle last Sunday.

Tom Lynch has been in career-best form this year.