In Round 1, Hamish McIntosh had a kick after the final siren to win the match for North. Unfortunately, he missed and Essendon celebrated a 2-point win at Etihad Stadium.
It was a late fight-back from North which put it in the position to win after the Dons led by as many as 25-points in the final quarter. The Roos kicked four consecutive goals to get within 3-points with a minute remaining.
There’s no love lost between the teams and history shows the Bombers have had the better of the Kangaroos. From 147 meetings, North has won just 51 games and lost 95 with a single draw.
Who’s hot
North - Brent Harvey
32 touches, 7 marks and a goal had former North skipper Brent Harvey one of the best players on the ground last weekend. Even with Robert Murphy playing on him at times, the 34-year old was unstoppable.
Essendon - Jobe Watson
A Brownlow favourite, Watson’s 31 disposals, 7 tackles and a goal against the Crows did his chances of winning the medal no harm.
Young guns
North - Ben Cunnington
The 21-year old had arguably his best game for North Melbourne last week against the Bulldogs and has had more than 50 disposals in total across his last two outings. The midfielder has stepped up in the absence of Jack Ziebell and seems to be growing in confidence and ability by the week.
Essendon - Dyson Heppell
Averaging almost 22 disposals a game in 2012, Heppell is showing no signs of dropping off after winning the Rising Star award last year. His ability to use the ball well and add some run adds another string to Essendon’s bow.
Where it could be won
In the ruck
Last time around Todd Goldstein had McIntosh by his side, but with his fellow big-man out injured, he’ll have to shoulder the load alone in the ruck. However as bad as it reads, Goldstein seems to do better when he has no fall-back and is leading the league in average hit-outs with 32.9.
He’ll have his hands full on Sunday with the likes of Tom Bellchambers, David Hille and Paddy Ryder teaming up at the stoppages but his elite fitness will hold him in good stead.
Goal accuracy
There’s no denying North and Essendon have some serious firepower with Michael Hurley down one end and Drew Petrie at the other. The Roos are averaging 17 goals and just 8 behinds a game while the Bombers have been kicking 15 goals and 14 behinds.
It could be an old fashioned shootout on Sunday and whichever side takes its chances in front of goal, will be smiling come the final siren.
Missing in action
North
Jack Ziebell (Suspended) - 2 weeks
Lindsay Thomas (Suspended) - 1 week
Hamish McIntosh (Knee) - season
Tom Curran (Foot) - season
Essendon
David Zaharakis (Quad) - 2 weeks
Stewart Crameri (Hamstring Tightness) - test
Kyle Reimers (Hamstring) - 1 week
Michael Hibberd (Quad) - test
Mark McVeigh (Hamstring) - unavailable
David Myers (Bruised Calf) - test
Brent Stanton (Soreness) - test
Patrick Ryder (Calf) - test
Luke Davis (Ankle) - unavailable
Ben Howlett (Hamstring) - unavailable
Jason Winderlich (Hamstring) - unavailable
