North and Brisbane haven’t played many games since their last encounter in Round 16, 2013 but the respective sides looked vastly different.

In its narrow loss to Essendon on the weekend, Brisbane had eight players take the field who didn’t face North at the Gabba last year. Meanwhile when the Kangaroos faced Gold Coast, five of the 22 missed the narrow loss to the Lions.

While some of the changes were forced due to injury or suspension, to have almost a third of the 44 participants change in the space of 14 (North Melbourne) or 15 (Brisbane) games, reflects the rapidly changing landscape.

Not only has the personnel changed, some of the players who didn’t play last season are now among the most important for either side.

For Brisbane, James Aish now looms as a future centrepiece of its midfield. Last season he was yet to be drafted, running around in the SANFL with Norwood. Marco Paparone was still developing in the QAFL in 2013, but collected 29 disposals against Essendon in Round 8.

On North’s side, Nick Dal Santo and Luke McDonald are fixtures just seven rounds into their first seasons at the club. Joel Tippett has also emerged from West Adelaide as a reliable option in the back half.

Perhaps it isn’t as much of a surprise the best performers from last year’s game (with the exception of Daniel Rich due to injury) are the constants.
Arguably the best six players on the ground last year were Tom Rockliff, Sam Mayes, Rich, Drew Petrie, Sam Gibson and Brent Harvey. Five of the six will be taking their places at Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.

Round 16, 2013
Brisbane 2.2.14, 5.5.35, 11.6.72, 18.9.117
North Melbourne 5.1.31, 10.1.61, 14.3.87, 17.3.105

Goals
Brisbane: Mayes 3, Hanley 3, McGrath 3, Brown 3, Staker 2, Lester 1, Zorko 1, Green 1, Merrett 1
North Melbourne: Petrie 5, Black 3, Tarrant 3, Cunnington 2, Harvey 1, Bastinac 1, Wells 1, Mullett 1

Brownlow Medal
3 – Tom Rockliff (BRI), 2 – Sam Mayes (BRI), 1 – Drew Petrie (NM)