North Melbourne v Brisbane Lions
Saturday, June 19 - 4:35pm AEST
Blundstone Arena
After a largely positive, nail-biting performance against GWS last weekend, North Melbourne once again travels to Hobart - this time to take on a high-flying Brisbane Lions outfit.
North shot out to a 28-point three quarter time lead against the Giants, however GWS reeled in the home side, with the game finishing with the first draw of this AFL season.
There were brilliant performers across the ground for North, with Cam Zurhaar’s two goals and Ben Cunnington’s evergreen performance amongst the highlights.
After Robbie Tarrant’s successful return from injury last week, North’s backline looks set to get even stronger with reigning best and fairest winner Luke McDonald earmarked for a return against the Lions.
Brisbane had the bye last week and will have relished the opportunity to get some rest into its playing group.
In Round 12 it suffered its fourth loss of the season, with the returning Lachie Neale not able to prevent a 22-point loss to Melbourne.
Brisbane will be without influential leader Dayne Zorko for the clash, with the midfielder serving a one-match suspension.
Last time we met
If the last clash between these two sides is anything to go by, fans are in for an absolute thriller at Blundstone Arena this weekend.
Brisbane prevailed by just one point in Round 12 last season in a game of ebbs and flows where the margin never reached 20 points.
Nick Larkey and Tristan Xerri both impressed in the forward line kicking two goals each, while Jed Anderson was at his destructive best with 29 disposals and 9 clearances.
Jy Simpkin didn’t give an inch in midfield as he laid a game high 8 tackles, while Shaun Atley was at his intelligent peak with 7 intercepts and 22 touches 95 per cent disposal efficiency.
Oscar McInerney gave Todd Goldstein a battle in the ruck as he registered 24 hitouts and 2 goals, while Lachie Neale had 24 touches.
The matchup
Nick Larkey v Harris Andrews
‘Souva’ as he is affectionately known had one of his best games of the season against GWS, kicking two goals and taking 5 marks as he was a consistent and dangerous forward target for North all game.
Since the addition of a second tall into the forward line Larkey has been able to show the best aspects of his game, with his strong hands and accurate goalkicking coming to the fore as North has lifted from week to week.
Kicking 15 goals and just 4 behinds for the season, he only needs a sniff of the big sticks and he’ll most likely put it through, but this week represents a different type of challenge as he takes on one of the competition’s premier key defenders.
After being named on the interchange of Riley Beveridge’s mid-season All-Australian team, it’s obvious that Harris Andrews is a man in form.
Ranking second in the AFL for marks, third for intercepts and eighth in one percenters, Andrews is one of the most well-rounded defenders in the competition.
His ability to impact the contest at ground level is only exceeded by his ability in the air, and Larkey will need to be at his best to get the better of the 125-gamer.
The key men
Aaron Hall and Eric Hipwood
Aaron Hall has been playing like a man possessed in 2021, with a move into the backline breathing new life into the veteran’s already impressive career.
Averaging over 26 disposals and 4 score involvements a game from the half back flank, Hall’s elite level kicking and brilliant football smarts lend themselves well to his new ‘quarterback’ style role.
Ranking third in both kicks and metres gained per game, Hall’s prerogative is simple - move the ball forward.
He takes the game on in an almost incomparable fashion, and if Brisbane let him get his hands on the football too often, it could be curtains for the travelling side.
Eric Hipwood is in the midst of a breakout season, averaging a career-high 1.9 goals per game to sit atop Brisbane’s goal kicking list.
Any of Ben McKay, Robbie Tarrant or even Josh Walker could be tasked with blanketing Hipwood over the course of the game, however he isn’t just dangerous when he’s clunking marks, with his ability to effectively bring the ball to ground benefitting the likes of Charlie Cameron and Lincoln McCarthy.
A tall and rangy key forward, the 204-centimetre Hipwood is a difficult match up for opponents of most sizes, too big for some defenders, but too quick for others - and he’ll be looking to put this reinvigorated North defence to the sword.
The stat
Clashes between the Kangaroos and the Lions are historically tight and hard fought, with the average margin of the clubs over history being less than a goal.
When the Lions were still based in Fitzroy, the average score between the sides was 89-92 in the Lions' favour over 128 clashes.
Of those 128 games before relocation, North won 65 and Fitzroy 62, with the one draw between the two sides coming in Round 1, 1933.
Since becoming the Brisbane Lions the tight contests have continued, with North winning, on average, 98-94.
The sample size is comparatively smaller, with only 39 games played between the two sides.
Of those 39 North has won 20 games while Brisbane has won 18, with the only draw coming in Round 3, 2003, with North’s Digby Morrell and Brisbane’s Michael Voss kicking five goals apiece.
