Teams
North Melbourne
B: Lachlan Hansen, Scott Thompson, Aaron Mullett
HB: Taylor Hine, Nathan Grima, Jamie Macmillan
C: Sam Gibson, Ryan Bastinac, Shaun Atley
HF: Daniel Wells, Drew Petrie, Brent Harvey
F: Lindsay Thomas, Aaron Black, Levi Greenwood
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
Int From: Brad McKenzie, Leigh Adams, Taylor Garner, Jordie Gysberts, Ben Jacobs, Michael Firrito, Robbie Tarrant
GWS Giants
B: Curtly Hampton, Stephen Gilham, Adam Kennedy
HB: Aidan Corr, Tim Mohr, Callan Ward
C: Lachie Whitfield, Adam Treloar, Sam Reid
HF: Devon Smith, Jeremy Cameron, Will Hoskin-Elliott
F: Taylor Adams, Adam Tomlinson, Liam Sumner
Fol: Jonathan Giles, Toby Greene, Tom Scully
Int From: Zachary Williams, Joshua Bruce, Jacob Townsend, Nicholas Haynes, Setanta O’hAilpin, Dylan Shiel, Shaun Edwards
Key matchup
Andrew Swallow v Callan Ward
Both captains are barometers for their respective sides. While they may not spend too much time directly opposed to each other on Sunday, their performances will go a long way to whether each side is on top.
Ward is at the front of the majority of statistical categories for the Giants and averaged 25.5 disposals in his two games against the Kangaroos in 2012.
One of Swallow’s nine career double-figure clearance games came against the Giants in Round 2 last season, while he suffered a knock in Round 23 and was much quieter than normal, collecting just 17 disposals.
Young guns
North Melbourne
Brad McKenzie
After signing a new two-year deal during the week, McKenzie will be aiming to play his first full game of his AFL career. His two appearances in 2012 were as a substitute, and in the same role against Fremantle he collected 12 possessions in only 35 minutes of game time.
His ability to hit a target by foot saw him lead North in inside 50’s despite his limited minutes. Those skills could be a part in rectifying the decreased scoring output in the Roos’ last two games.
GWS Giants
Adam Tomlinson
In the absence of Jonathan Patton, Tomlinson has been afforded an opportunity to make a spot in the Giants forward line his own.
Named at full forward, Tomlinson is at his best when roaming further up the ground and working back hard. Against Port Adelaide he had 20 possessions, one short of his career-high, while pumping the ball inside 50 on six occasions.
Small forwards
While North’s tall forwards were all the rage last season, in the second meeting against the Giants it was actually the smaller forwards and midfielders that applied the majority of scoreboard pressure.
Of the 16 goals, only three came from taller players – two to Drew Petrie and one to Luke Delaney who had drifted forward. The remaining 13 were split between Kieran Harper, Matt Campbell, Brent Harvey, Lindsay Thomas, Sam Gibson and Andrew Swallow.
It could provide a chance for someone like Leigh Adams, whose career high of 37 disposals came against the Giants last year to hit the scoreboard and work his way into form.
Returning stars/missing in action
North Melbourne
Jack Ziebell returns after missing three games due to suspension, while Ben Cunnington remains out of the side for family reasons.
Lindsay Thomas has recovered from a slight hamstring niggle sustained against Fremantle, while Scott McMahon will sit out a second match with an ankle injury sustained at training.
GWS Giants
Phil Davis, Rhys Palmer and Dean Brogan will all miss the clash against North after failing to pass their fitness tests earlier in the week.
Etihad Stadium
Sunday will be North’s first game at Etihad Stadium in almost a month. The home comforts of a fast track and closed roof will be a welcome change from the wet conditions of the last two games at Metricon and Patersons Stadium respectively.
GWS has never won a game at Etihad from its previous four attempts; however it did lead Essendon for almost three quarters in Round 6 this year before fading in the final term.
