1. Form
North Melbourne
Last Week: Defeated Richmond by 3 points, lost to Hawthorn by 25 points
Kicking off the NAB Cup for 2012 with a match against Richmond, North Melbourne got over the line thanks to a late Robbie Tarrant goal. In the Roos’ next match they struggled, like many other teams, to combat a more fresh opponent. Hawthorn's energetic start blew North Melbourne out of the water early before a flurry of goals in the second half was all too late.
Sydney
Last Week: Defeated St Kilda by 30 points, lost to Geelong by 16 points
Taking an uncharacteristically strong squad to Etihad Stadium for their first NAB Cup games, Sydney pumped St Kilda in the second half of their first match. Much like North Melbourne following a first up win, Sydney struggled with a second successive match. The Swans fell to Geelong by 16 points.
2. Missing stars
North Melbourne
Daniel Wells
Sydney
Adam Goodes
3. Dream Team
North Melbourne
Against Richmond, Aaron Edwards was a surprise Dream Team leader with 47 points thanks to his three goals. Despite Brent Harvey typically leading the way against Hawthorn with 32 points, the more intriguing prospect was mature age rookie Sam Gibson who picked up 29 points from nine touches.
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| Brent Harvey was a strong Dream Team performer in North Melbourne's opening matches |
In game one against St Kilda, Jude Bolton had 50 points from 13 touches. Bolton’s score was surprisingly high given the lack of tackles he laid. Second up, Heath Grundy collected 39 points from 12 disposals with eight of them being kicks; good signs for Dream Team coaches.
4. Key match-ups
Petrie vs Grundy
One of Sydney's underrated talents, Heath Grundy will likely get first shot at containing Drew Petrie. Someone that doesn't get the national attention that he deserves, Grundy can also hurt North Melbourne with the ball in his hands.
Vice-captain Petrie will need to be alert once the ball hits the ground in the forward 50 to prevent easy Sydney rebounds.
Reid vs Thompson
Offered a remarkable five year deal at the end of 2011, Sam Reid showed just why against St Kilda last week. With the North Melbourne defence missing Nathan Grima, Scott Thompson will most likely get a crack at the talented youngster.
With Sydney looking to get the ball forward through long kicking, Reid's contested marking is something the Swans will be looking to build around into the future.
5. Under the radar
Liam Anthony
Given a shot at North Melbourne's vacant half-back flank position in the second game of the double header against Hawthorn, Liam Anthony picked up seven touches and was serviceable in the role. If he gets another opportunity to provide rebound, Sydney's tall forwards could struggle to provide enough forward pressure to prevent easy transition into North Melbourne's forward half.
Nick Smith
Much like Heath Grundy, Nick Smith is another of Sydney's defenders that doesn't get the recognition he deserves. He played every game in 2011 and despite having the task of shutting down some of the AFL's premier small forwards, he was rarely beaten. Most likely faced with Matt Campbell this week, the reliable Smith will look to win yet another contest.
6. Young guns
Jamie Macmillan
On the fringes of the North Melbourne side throughout 2011, Jamie Macmillan showed positive signs in North Melbourne's win against Richmond playing off half-back. His dash and willingness to break a lines played a crucial part in the match winning Tarrant goal. If he persists with that mindset, he could become a crucial member in the Kangaroos’ backline.
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| Jamie Macmillan's run and carry against Richmond was crucial in North Melbourne's win |
After a series of representative commitments with Greater Western Sydney in 2011, it was tipped the league’s newest club would pick up Cunningham. However, it was Sydney which selected the youngster with pick 93 in the Rookie Draft. The 18-year old has already shown his talent with eight touches in his first game against St Kilda, and even beat Adam Goodes by 48 seconds in a three kilometre time-trial recently.
7. Where it could be won
A hot topic of discussion over the summer at Aegis Park has been whether North Melbourne could play two specialist ruckmen in the same side. While Brad Scott continues to integrate Goldstein and McIntosh into the current setup, Sydney has a similar option.
The Swans trialed two ruckmen last week in the absence of Shane Mumford with Mark Seaby and Mike Pyke carrying the load. With a tall forward line in last week's games including Goodes, Reid, Pyke and White, the structures of the sides are very similar.
Therefore it's the side that gets first hands on the ball thanks to their ruckmen that will have the initial advantage.
8. NAB Cup situation
North Melbourne
A narrow win against Richmond followed by a relatively heavy loss to Hawthorn means North Melbourne's percentage is above just one other club. A finals appearance is just about out of the question barring two big wins and a host of results falling the Kangaroos' way.
Sydney
Sitting in sixth position after two matches with a game against bottom side Essendon still to come, Sydney is well placed. A win against North Melbourne could have the Swans in a position to make a run for the Grand Final
