• North recorded its then biggest win in its history in 1974.
In Round 5 of that season, the Kangaroos defeated the Saints by 93 points. Doug Wade led the way with 5 goals.
However the margin only lasted for six more matches before North defeated South Melbourne by 106 points in Round 12 of the same year.
• The two sides have only met once in the finals out of their 150 meetings.
It was the preliminary final of 1997. North was defeated by St Kilda with the game turning out to be Wayne Schwass’ final match for the Roos before being traded to Sydney.
• Nick Riewoldt has traditionally been a thorn in North’s side with 13 Brownlow votes against the Roos.
In last season’s meeting Nathan Grima did an excellent job minimising his influence. Riewoldt had just 10 possessions and 1 goal as the Kangaroos emerged victorious by 33 points.
• One of North’s biggest ever upset wins came against the Saints in Round 21, 2009.
North trailed St Kilda by 13.5 games on the ladder at the time, but courageously fought against the odds to prevail by just five points under caretaker coach Darren Crocker.
• No Roo has kicked more than five goals in a game against St Kilda since 1994.
Darryl Sutton (1980) and Frank Crapper (1936) each hold the record against the Saints with nine goals.
• Only one of the last 15 meetings between the sides has been away from Etihad Stadium.
The game was in 2009 at Carrara as North lost by 15 points despite a strong star.
• Since 1990, the Kangaroos’ best defensive performance in a game has been against St Kilda.
In the premiership year of 1996, North held the Saints to just 4.5.29, winning by 89 points. St Kilda kicked just one goal after quarter time to the Roos’ 14.
• North’s highest ever score against the Saints at Etihad came in last year’s match.
In addition to the 21.10.136 the Kangaroos scored on the day, their 8.5 in the final term was their second best at the ground for the entire season.
• The highest kick total by an individual Roo in 2012 came against St Kilda.
Daniel Wells had 24 kicks out of his 34 disposals, collecting the three Brownlow votes.
Written with assistance from Ange Cristoforo
