WHO: North Melbourne v Hawthorn
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Friday, June 17, 7.50pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Broadcast guide
TICKETS: Purchase tickets

THE LAST FIVE

R5, 2015, Hawthorn 19.16 (130) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70) at Etihad Stadium
R16, 2014, North Melbourne 16.12 (108) d Hawthorn 13.10 (88) at Etihad Stadium
R22, 2013, Hawthorn 17.15 (117) d North Melbourne 15.13 (103) at Etihad Stadium
R5, 2013, Hawthorn 14.15 (99) d North Melbourne 13.18 (96) at the MCG
R10, 2012, Hawthorn 27.12 (174) d North Melbourne 9.5 (59) at Aurora Stadium

SUMMARY (AFL.COM.AU)

Halfway through a tough six-game stretch, the jury's out where North Melbourne sits in the AFL's pecking order, but that should become clearer after Friday night's blockbuster clash with Hawthorn.

The Roos suffered their second loss in the past three weeks when they played Geelong, although injuries to key players – including concussion to skipper Andrew Swallow – were a factor. While North (10-2) is still clinging to top spot with a one-game buffer, the chasing pack is hot on the Kangas' heels and Hawthorn could overtake the League leaders with a victory.

While the Hawks still aren't at their best, last round's 108-point belting of undermanned Essendon was closer to a four-quarter performance. At 9-3, another win would put Alastair Clarkson's men firmly in the frame for a top-four spot ahead of a historic flag tilt.

There was plenty of feeling in the last clash between the sides.

THE HEADLINES

Wagner's journey to a debut
On National Draft night last season, it was actually Brisbane who had first call on Wagner’s final destination… MORE

Unsociable Hawks to stay
Hawks’ coach Alastair Clarkson wants his men to remain unsociable, but within the rules… MORE

ET: Tigers' reinforcements
"Scotty just had to remind us that we're 10-2 because we were all pretty flat about the performance (against Geelong)."… MORE

TEAMS

North Melbourne

Backs S.Thompson 16 M.Firrito 11 J.Macmillan 34
Half Backs S.Atley 18 R.Tarrant 25 L.McDonald 21
Centreline N.Dal Santo 15 D.Wells 8 S.Gibson 43
Half Forwards C.Wagner 41 M.Daw 38 B.Harvey 29
Forwards B.Brown 50 D.Petrie 20 M.Wood 32
Followers T.Goldstein 22 T.Dumont 14 J.Ziebell 7
Interchange B.McKenzie 2 L.Thomas 12 A.Mullett 17 F.Ray 44
Emergencies R.Clarke 13 J.Tippett 36 D.Mountford 42

In: F.Ray, M.Daw, T.Dumont, C.Wagner
Out: J.Waite (Hip), A.Swallow (Concussion), R.Nahas (Finger), B.Cunnington (Quad)

Hawthorn

Backs T.O'Brien 23 J.Frawley 12 B.Stratton 24
Half Backs S.Mitchell 5 J.Gibson 6 G.Birchall 14
Centreline I.Smith 16 J.Lewis 3 B.Hill 10
Half Forwards L.Breust 22 J.Sicily 21 J.Gunston 19
Forwards P.Puopolo 28 B.McEvoy 7 C.Rioli 33
Followers J.Ceglar 18 S.Burgoyne 9 L.Shiels 26
Interchange T.Duryea 8 D.Howe 41 K.Stewart 40 B.Hartung 4
Emergencies K.Brand 30 A.Litherland 17 W.Langford 29

In: S.Mitchell, T.Duryea, J.Ceglar
Out: W.Langford (Omitted), A.Litherland (Omitted), M.Pittonet (Omitted)

Majak Daw is back into the North side to take on Hawthorn.

THE OPPOSITION SAID - ALASTAIR CLARKSON

“We expect a physical North Melbourne, that’s the way they play their best footy.

“We’ve had great contests with the Kangas for a long period of time – they’ve been a good side for a fair while and obviously we pride ourselves on being a really strong and competitive side too.”

THE PLAYER SAID - BRENT HARVEY

THE SIX STATS (AFL.com.au)

1. The Hawks dominated the Kangaroos across the field the last time they met with 409-359 disposals, 125-93 marks, 35-20 scoring shots, 60-40 inside 50s and 12 goals to six after half-time. Sam Mitchell was best on ground with 33 disposals.

2. Hawthorn has had the better of North recently, winning seven of the last nine matches including three by more than 50 points.

3. The teams have met at Etihad Stadium 10 times, with six wins to four in the Hawks' favour - including five of the last six.

4. Both teams pack a punch offensively, with the Hawks averaging 102 points (fourth in the AFL) compared to the Roos' 100, and are almost equally solid defensively, with Hawthorn conceding slightly more points (86.5, seventh) than North (80.7, sixth).

5. The Kangaroos are ranked third for centre clearances (14.2 per game), although the injury-hit midfield was smashed 20-8 by Geelong at restarts last Saturday night.

6. Underrated North defender Jamie Macmillan is rocketing up the Schick AFL Player Ratings. The 24-year-old has climbed from 323rd overall at the end of last season to 185th – one spot shy of his career-best rating.

Jamie Macmillan is having a career-best season.

THE BURNING QUESTIONS

Fired up?
Incidents involving Jordan Lewis and Luke Hodge proved bigger talking points than the game last time the teams met.

Will we see a repeat of the fiery Round 5, 2015 clash?

Alastair Clarkson has hinted he expects a “physical North Melbourne”, but it’s the four points that will be the ultimate prize.

Can North stop Mitchell?
Sam Mitchell racked up the three Brownlow votes when the teams last met and he is a huge exclusion for the Hawks.

Roaming across half-back, Mitchell was averaging more than 29 disposals a game in the first 11 rounds.

The Swans’ Tom Mitchell was able to negate his influence in Round 9 with a tight tag – will North opt for a similar approach?

An Etihad shootout?
With both teams averaging more than 100 points, the game has the makings of a high-scoring affair.

North’s scoring has slowed in recent weeks, with just two 100-plus scores in the past eight, and the absence of Waite may not make things any easier.

Nevertheless, there’s plenty of firepower in attack – Drew Petrie, Ben Brown, Lindsay Thomas and Brent Harvey have shared the load, while Majak Daw is another dangerous option.

At the other end, Jack Gunston, Luke Breust, Cyril Rioli and Paul Puopolo have all kicked more than 20 goals this year.

An unwanted streak
After a hot start, North is yet to record back-to-back losses and will be hoping to keep that record in check on Friday night.

The Roos fell to Sydney in Round 10, but bounced back emphatically the following week against the Tigers in Hobart. After a disappointing effort facing the Cats last week, will North right its wrongs and return to the winner’s list against the Hawks?

Who will stand up?
In the absence of several key players, North will be relying on its depth.

Brad Scott has spoken highly of the Roos’ ability to call up players from the VFL, and they’ll face a big test against the three-time reigning premiers.

The likes of Trent Dumont and Daw will have a great opportunity to prove themselves again on the biggest stage, while Scott will no doubt call on the experience of Farren Ray to help guide his troops.

Nevertheless, filling the void left by Ben Cunnington, Andrew Swallow and Jarrad Waite is going to be a huge task.