North needs to beat the Cats this Saturday to have any chance of playing for the major prize and with only round to go until the Grand Final, the Kangaroos will also be rely on other teams’ results.
The other three undefeated clubs are Brisbane, Collingwood and Carlton.
The Lions and Magpies will face off on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium and the winner will take up one spot. That leaves Carlton and North Melbourne to fight it out for the remaining place.
Carlton travels to AAMI Stadium to face the Crows on Friday night and a victory will leave North having to defeat Geelong by an astronomical margin to make up a percentage difference, which currently sits at more than 70 - 185.45 to 111.24.
However if Carlton loses, all North has to do is defeat Geelong to make the Grand Final.
Scenario 1
- Brisbane or Collingwood make the Grand Final
- Carlton loses to Adelaide
- North Melbourne defeats Geelong
- Brisbane or Collingwood play North in the Grand Final
Scenario 2
- The winner of Brisbane v Collingwood make the Grand Final
- Carlton defeats Adelaide
- North Melbourne defeats Geelong by a big enough margin to overtake Carlton on percentage
- Brisbane or Collingwood play North in the Grand Final
Scenario 3
- North and Carlton both win
- North and Carlton’s percentage is superior than the winner of Brisbane and Collingwood
- North and Carlton make the Grand Final
Scenario 4
- The winner of Brisbane v Collingwood make the Grand Final
- Carlton defeats Adelaide
- North Melbourne lose to Geelong
- Brisbane or Collingwood play Carlton in the Grand Final
With a fit list to choose from in what will most likely be its second last hit-out before Round 1, North is in good shape as the pre-season rolls on.
TEAM | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | % | PTS | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Carlton | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 204 | 110 | 185.45 | 12 |
2 | Brisbane | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 189 | 132 | 143.18 | 12 |
3 | Collingwood | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 174 | 134 | 129.90 | 12 |
4 | North Melbourne | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 188 | 169 | 111.24 | 12 |