North Melbourne v West Coast
Thursday, September 17 - 7.10pm AEST
Metricon Stadium
The final round of 2020 has arrived, and it begins with two clubs looking to win for vastly different reasons.
Adelaide’s late season resurgence has put North in danger of collecting its first wooden spoon in the AFL era, and it will be looking to desperately avoid that outcome.
West Coast is an outside chance of securing a top-four position and the double chance that comes with it.
Last time we met
Round 19, 2019
West Coast 18.13.121 def North Melbourne 10.12.72
Tarryn Thomas booted the first goal of the game but after that, it was one way traffic as the Eagles ran out 49-point winners.
Andrew Gaff (33 disposals) and Josh Kennedy (7 goals) were dominant for the home side.
Jared Polec (31 disposals), Trent Dumont (26 disposals, 12 marks) and Cam Zurhaar (3 goals) were the best for the Roos.
The matchup
Todd Goldstein v Nic Naitanui
The ruck battle shapes up to be a critical one, with potentially more than just the match at stake.
Both have been at their best, and are in contention for an All Australian position. Could the winner of this head-to-head solidify his spot in the final 22?
Goldstein rates higher for average disposals, score involvements and marks, but Naitanui edges the number 22 in hitouts and clearances.
The key men
Jy Simpkin and Tim Kelly
Simpkin has taken on a full-time midfield role, stepping up in the absence of Ben Cunnington, and while he started in red-hot fashion, he has tapered off in recent weeks.
If the number 12 can find his best form, it will go a long way to helping the Roos’ chances.
Kelly has slotted into the Eagles’ midfield seamlessly, and is coming off a season-best effort.
In the absence of Luke Shuey and Dom Sheed, Kelly had 30 disposals and kicked an important goal late in the win over the Saints.
Quelling Kelly’s influence will be key for North’s chances.
The teams
North Melbourne
B: E.Vickers-Willis, R.Tarrant, F.Perez
HB: S.Atley, B.McKay, L.McDonald
C: B.Scott, J.Simpkin, J.Polec
HF: C.Zurhaar, J.Walker, J.Ziebell
F: T.Garner, N.Larkey, S.Higgins
FOLL: T.Goldstein, J.Anderson, T.Dumont
I/C: L.Davies-Uniacke, S.Durdin, T.Murphy, A.Hall
EMG: M.Wood, M.McGuInness, T.Campbell, L.Hosie
IN: S.Durdin, T.Murphy
OUT: M.Wood (omitted), A.Bonar (injured)
West Coast
B: T.Cole, T.Barrass, B.Sheppard
HB: S.Hurn, W.Schofield, L.Duggan
C: J.Nelson, D.Sheed, J.Waterman
HF: B.Ah Chee, J.Darling, J.Petruccelle
F: O.Allen, J.Kennedy, L.Ryan
FOLL: N.Naitanui, T.Kelly, A.Gaff
I/C: L.Foley, B.Williams, B.Ainsworth, J.Rotham
EMG: J.Brander, X.O’Neill, J.Cameron, H.Edwards
IN: D.Sheed, B.Ah Chee, L.Foley, B.Williams
OUT: H.Brayshaw (omitted), X.O’Neill (omitted), J.Brander (omitted), J.McGovern (injured)
