Geelong v North Melbourne
Wednesday, August 5 – 5.40pm AEST
The Gabba
North Melbourne will enter Wednesday’s clash with the Cats with increased confidence, after snapping a six-game losing streak in emphatic fashion on Saturday.
The Roos posted the highest score of the season (119), as they beat the Adelaide Crows by 69-points.
Geelong has been in good form so far in 2020, sitting in sixth position on the ladder.
The Cats almost clinched a famous win in Perth against the Eagles last time out, being undone by three Josh Kennedy goals in the final term.
Last time we met
Round 21, 2019
It was an evening to forget for North, posting its lowest ever score, managing just 14 points in enemy territory.
Todd Goldstein kicked the only goal for the Roos, while Ben Cunnington collected 30 disposals.
Patrick Dangerfield was the best for the Cats with 33 touches and a goal.
The match-up
Robbie Tarrant v Tom Hawkins
Robbie Tarrant will face a tough test on Wednesday in the form of All-Australian full-forward, Tom Hawkins.
Hawkins’ has been in fine form again in 2020, with his 16 goals placing him sixth in the race for the Coleman Medal.
Tarrant, North captain in the absence of Jack Ziebell, has been a dominant presence throughout the season and will need to be at his best once again to stop Hawkins.
The key men
Jed Anderson and Mitch Duncan
In the absence of Ben Cunnington, the Roos have turned to Jed Anderson to be the main man in the contest.
The number three is having an influence around the ground, leading the Roos’ midfielders for score involvements per game (5.4) and tackles (5.3).
Often underrated due to the big names around him, Mitch Duncan has been a standout for the Cats in 2020.
His ball use has been among the best in the league, ranking elite for effective kicks (7.9 per game), while also taking the equal second-most marks of any midfielder.
The stat
North hasn’t defeated Geelong since Round 15, 2015; its longest current winless run against any team.
The coaches said
“There are some great opportunities there for guys when their time comes, because of these short breaks … and I think that's the best part about this season." – Rhyce Shaw on making changes.
"It's a logistical stone in your shoe rather than a considerable performance issue. I played 14 years up in Queensland, I know it's a little bit different to the Perth trip, but I had three years there [in Perth] as an assistant, using travel as an excuse is one of the great furphies in footy." – Chris Scott on the four-day break after Perth game.
