With a nine-day break leading into the game, the Kangaroos should be fresh and in a prime position to end their losing streak against the Eagles.
Teams
North Melbourne
B: Luke McDonald, Scott Thompson, Lachlan Hansen
HB: Nick Dal Santo, Michael Firrito, Shaun Atley
C: Sam Gibson, Andrew Swallow, Levi Greenwood
HF: Leigh Adams, Aaron Black, Brent Harvey
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Robbie Nahas
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington
Int From: Daniel Currie, Ryan Bastinac, Liam Anthony, Ben Jacobs, Sam Wright, Majak Daw, Aaron Mullett
In: Liam Anthony, Ben Jacobs, Daniel Currie, Aaron Mullett
Out: Joel Tippett (pectoral)
West Coast
B: Mitch Brown, Darren Glass, Shannon Hurn
HB: Elliot Yeo, Eric Mackenzie, Zavier Ellis
C: Matt Rosa, Scott Selwood, Andrew Gaff
HF: Jamie Cripps, Josh Kennedy, Chris Masten
F: Jack Darling, Nic Naitanui, Mark LeCras
Fol: Dean Cox, Matt Priddis, Sharrod Wellingham
Int From: Will Schofield, Mark Hutchings, Brad Sheppard, Sam Butler, Luke Shuey, Josh Hill, Jamie Bennell
In: Will Schofield, Mark LeCras, Sam Butler
Similar problems
Following matches this year, comparable statements have been heard from both the West Coast and North Melbourne rooms and media conferences.
Lines about ‘having to play four consistent quarters’, ‘focusing on little things which keep occurring in games’ and ‘lamenting simple breakdowns’ are all common statements.
When two sides who are intent on fixing similar issues collide, it makes for an intriguing tactical battle.
Midfield issues
Against Geelong, North was unable to stop the opposition midfield from getting on top in the first half. It was what led to the six-goal half time deficit, eventually too big a lead to run down.
When Collingwood overran West Coast in the last quarter and a half, it was behind the performance of the midfield as well. Scott Pendlebury, Dayne Beams and co were able to overwhelm their midfield matchups, leading their side to victory.
Therefore both sets of midfielders will be aware of the need to maintain intensity for the four quarters. Any lapse from either side could result in a match-winning momentum burst.
Second tier players
Often important wins are fuelled by the performances of a side’s ‘second-string’ players. Once the key players are accounted for, it’s the remaining players who sneak under the guard with a critical contribution.
Last week, it was Robbie Nahas and Ryan Bastinac who were important after half-time. Meanwhile for the Eagles, Jamie Cripps and Elliot Yeo were strong performers from siren to siren.
There has been a history of those outside the top echelon of players proving important in clashes between the two sides. In 2013 Lachlan Hansen had just come back into the side, but ended up taking 15 marks and amassing 20 disposals. In the same game it was Jacob Brennan from the Eagles who had a game-high six rebound 50’s to quell North’s forward thrusts.
Familiar faces
While Adam Simpson has been away from Arden Street as an assistant coach since his retirement, Sunday will mark the first time the former North captain has been a head coach against his old side.
Simpson played 306 games for the club between 1995 and 2009, a mark bettered by only Glenn Archer and Brent Harvey. Captain for five years and a Syd Barker Medalist in 2002, he left his mark as one of the most respected players in the club’s history.
Simpson’s new right-hand man will also come up against North for the first time. It’s Brady Rawlings’ first year away from Arden Street since 1998. He made his debut for the Kangaroos in 1999 as a 17-year-old, going on to notch 245 appearances in a 13-year career.
Rawlings then spent the next two years in a recruiting role at the club before Simpson and the Eagles came calling.
The lure of an assistant coaching position was too strong to resist, and while he’s still much loved by his former team-mates and coaching counterparts, the former number 3 will be in the opposing corner on Sunday night.
