The Kangaroos boast wins in the last two meetings between the sides, flipping the script after losses in six of the previous seven games against the Saints.
Teams
North Melbourne
B: Luke McDonald, Scott Thompson, Scott McMahon
HB: Shaun Atley, Lachlan Hansen, Michael Firrito
C: Sam Gibson, Andrew Swallow, Sam Wright
HF: Brent Harvey, Aaron Black, Nick Dal Santo
F: Ben Brown, Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Levi Greenwood
Int: Ryan Bastinac, Ben Jacobs, Leigh Adams, Aaron Mullett
Emer: Brad McKenzie, Trent Dumont, Majak Daw
In: Aaron Mullett
Out: Liam Anthony (omitted)
St Kilda
B: Sam Fisher, Luke Delaney, Sean Dempster
HB: Shane Savage, James Gwilt, Dylan Roberton
C: Jack Newnes, Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna
HF: Luke Dunstan, Nick Riewoldt, David Armitage
F: Adam Schneider, Rhys Stanley, Jack Billings
Fol: Tom Hickey, Seb Ross, Mav Weller
Int: Farren Ray, Tom Curren, Sam Dunell, Cameron Shenton
Emer: Clinton Jones, Josh Saunders, Darren Minchington
In: Sam Fisher, Lenny Hayes, Tom Hickey, Tom Curren
Out: Jack Steven (thigh), Billy Longer, Darren Minchington, Trent Dennis-Lane (all omitted)
Blundstone Arena conditions
In preparations to increase the capacity of the Hobart ground before the Cricket World Cup, the attendance will be reduced for Saturday's clash. Perhaps more importantly from an on-field perspective, the yet to be finished works will most likely affect the conditions for the players.
The grandstand under construction used to provide some protection from the elements. However it won't be finished for the upcoming game, meaning the forecast wind in Hobart will have more of an impact on disposal.
Increased quantity of contests
The difference between North Melbourne's and St Kilda's stages of development is quite stark. While the Kangaroos are looking to build towards a September appearance, the Saints are starting out fresh with a crop of talented youngsters.
It means North, with its bigger bodies, should have a marked advantage in close at contested situations. The 'home' side already averages almost 12 more contested possessions a game than St Kilda, and typically games at Blundstone Arena have seen an increase in total contested numbers.
The conditions are normally a large contrast to the comforts of Etihad Stadium; therefore the Sherrin typically spends larger amounts of time on the ground and at stoppages. In the two games at the ground last year, 44 per cent of North's possessions were contested, well up on its current 2014 average of 37 per cent.
Luke McDonald v Jack Billings
Through AFL.com.au's excellent documentary, 'Draft Days', viewers were treated to a close-up insight into the tight bond between McDonald and Billings. Now for the first time, the two are set to face each other at senior level.
There is also every chance they could spend time in a direct match-up, with Billings having spent most of his time in the forward 50 so far this year for St Kilda. With McDonald learning the ropes of AFL football predominantly off half-back, at the very least the two will be in close proximity for large parts of the game.
Considering the close relationship the two have, the banter will most likely be flying thick and fast.
Ladder arrangements
Externally, many have already penciled North in for a finals berth in 2014. Despite that, there is still a lot of work to be done before anyone at Arden Street can consider their plans in September.
Round 17's action perfectly reflects what could be a rapidly changing landscape. Heading into the weekend, North sits in seventh place, just percentage points behind Collingwood in sixth. A victory against the Saints could leave it a game clear in sixth and just one game off the top four.
Conversely, a loss could bump the Kangaroos all the way down to 10th place by the end of the weekend, with finals nowhere near assured.
Meanwhile St Kilda sits a game clear on the bottom of the ladder. A victory could draw it level with Brisbane, Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney on four wins with six games to play.
