North Melbourne is coming off one of its strongest weekends of the season, registering wins at both AFL and VFL level on the same day for the first time.
With the AFL side enjoying a 9-point win over Gold Coast and the VFL side defeating a strong Werribee outfit by 5 points, both sides were made to fight hard for victory, and both sides have players in form.
Coming up against a second placed Western Bulldogs side this weekend, David Noble and the match committee may look to switch things up to keep the side fresh heading into such a mammoth clash.
North Media looks at who is in the mix.
After his omission from the senior side for last weekend’s clash, Bailey Scott went into North’s VFL clash with a point to prove, and boy did he prove it.
Splitting his time between the midfield and the wing, Scott was a dominant force in the middle of the ground as he finished with 31 disposals, 7 clearances and a brilliantly taken goal on the run.
Scott’s work on the defensive side of the football was equally as strong, registering 7 tackles in what was a classy, all-round midfield performance.
Jared Polec made his long-awaited return from injury against Werribee and didn’t take long to show his class and ability at reserve level.
With key VFL-listed players suffering injuries during the clash, Polec played the entirety of the final three quarters of the game and was a mature and calming influence in the back half of the ground with the game on the line.
Finishing with 29 disposals, he had no trouble finding the football in his return, and his laser of a left foot opened the ground up for his side time and time again.
Young forward Eddie Ford continued his exceptional run of form at VFL level, kicking two goals for the third week in a row.
Also finishing with 16 disposals and 6 marks, Ford is quickly becoming a dangerous influence further up the ground as he leads out of the forward line, and with 5 tackles for the game, he wasn’t afraid to get stuck in.
Charlie Lazzaro played a starring role through midfield against Werribee, with the young midfielder stepping up to lead the troops when the going got tough.
His defensive effort was exceptional - finishing with 9 tackles - and while his 17 disposals doesn’t jump off the stats sheet, his ability to be in the right place at the right time was uncanny as he made every one of his touches count.
After suffering an ankle knock the VFL win over Coburg, Tom Campbell was back to his fully fit and dominant best against Werribee.
Coming up against former AFL-listed rucks in Matthew Lobbe and Wylie Buzza, Campbell amassed 49 hitouts for the game, while also picking up 21 disposals, 6 clearances and a goal.
Atu Bosenavulagi is close to a call-up after being named as medical substitute for the clash against Gold Coast, with his strong and versatile performances at VFL level impressing the North coaching staff.
After spending most of his early North career in defence, Connor Menadue continued in his new role further up the ground to great effect, finishing with 16 touches and a goal.
His pace and defensive nous make him a difficult match up when he plays in the forward 50, with his 5 tackles often setting the defensive tone for North in the front half.
Kyron Hayden is continuing his strong run of form since returning from injury, with the defender looking better and more effective with every passing week.
Registering 14 disposals and 6 marks for the game, Hayden’s ability in one on one contests proved crucial to North’s defensive structure, intercepting hopeful balls into the defensive 50 time and time again.
