With opponents Sandringham boasting a strong contingent of St Kilda regulars, the Roosters are sure to have a fight on their hands to get the win, but some experienced North Melbourne campaigners should go a long way to helping the cause.
Fresh from announcing his retirement, Shannon Watt lines looks set to line up at full-back with the big task of shutting down power forward Nick Sautner. With 71 goals to his name this season, Sautner looks a dangerous proposition for North Ballarat's defence, but the return of Watt should ease some of the pressure in defence.
There'll also be plenty of support down back from Kangaroo regulars Daniel Pratt and Gavin Urquhart. The pair have been named on opposite half-back flanks and will be desperate to finish the season on a positive note after falling out of favour with the North Melbourne selectors.
The battle of the midfield will go a long way to deciding the result. Sandringham have named the likes of Luke Ball, James Gwilt, Jarryn Geary and Farren Ray in its initial squad, but much will depend on the Saints' selections for their clash against Melbourne on Sunday as to whether they play.
On the other side of the coin, North Ballarat will rely heavily on VFL players to lead the charge through the middle. Myles Sewell and Stephen Clifton were both named in the best last week and Tom Roach has been consistent all season. Sam Power will be looking to continue the form that saw him rack up 27 possessions and two goals last week, while Marcus White will be important in and around the packs.
In attack the Roosters are set to be without Aaron Edwards and Josh Smith for at least this week after both were given another chance at AFL level. Much of the goal kicking burden will fall to Corey Jones, who kicked five goals last week after his omission from the North Melbourne team. Michael Wundke is another who needs to fire, 45 goals in 2008 saw the number 34 awarded a promotion to the senior list, but with only 27 goals to his name this season he will be looking for a big finals campaign.
It promises to be an exciting battle on Saturday afternoon. For Sandringham it's all about pride with its finals chances over, but for North Ballarat there's still a long way to go in defending its 2008 premiership.
North Ballarat vs. Sandringham
Saturday 29th August
Eureka Stadium at 2:00 PM
North Ballarat seniors:
B: Sharkey Watt Hooper
HB: Urquhart Searl Pratt
C: McHugh Clifton Chester
HF: McMahon Cartledge Wundke
F: Spolding Jones Dinnell
R: Stephenson Feery Sewell
Int: Power Roach White Greig C. Benjamin Peters Bell Richardson Murnane
Sandringham seniors:
B: Gaertner Johnson Biddlecombe
HB: Paterakis Simpkin Miles
C: Geary Summers Gallagher
HF: Heyne Lynch Steven
F: Garrubba Sautner Tregear
R: Stanley R. Eddy Begley
Int: McConnell Armitage Dempster Gwilt Howard McEvoy Smith Ball L. Fisher Hudghton Dean Ray
North Melbourne members are reminded that they receive free entry to North Ballarat matches on presentation of their membership cards.
