Match details
Saturday, July 28, 2.10 pm (local time), Etihad Stadium
Broadcast guide
Form
Melbourne: L, L, L, L, L, L, L, L, L, W, L, Bye, W, L, L, L, L
North Melbourne: L, W, W, L, W, L, L, L, W, L, Bye, W, W, W, L, W, W
Ladder position
Melbourne: 16th
North Melbourne: 8th
Head-to-head
Played: 151
Melbourne: 83
North Melbourne: 67
Drawn: 1
At this ground
Played: 5
Melbourne: 0
North Melbourne: 5
Drawn: 0
Last time they met
Round 8, 2011: North Melbourne 19.10 (124) d Melbourne 12.11 (83) at Etihad Stadium
Recent streak
Melbourne has lost its past nine against North Melbourne
Memorable match
Elimination final, 1987: Melbourne 22.26 (158) d North Melbourne 5.10 (40) at the MCG
Melbourne’s 118-point win remains its greatest win in a final. It was a stunning day for the Demons, as they not only competed in their first final since its most recent premiership in 1964, but also marked the start of a memorable finals series. Defender Sean Wight starred and Robert Flower kicked five goals in Melbourne’s victory. Warren Dean, Ricky Jackson, David Williams and Tony Campbell also kicked three goals each.
Milestones
Melbourne: Brad Green (250 AFL matches). The most games for Melbourne are David Neitz (306 games, 1993-2008), Robert Flower (272 games, 1973-87), Adem Yze (271 games, 1995-2008), Jim Stynes (264 games, 1987-98), Steven Febey (258 games, 1988-2001), Brian Dixon (252 games, 1954-68), James McDonald (251 games, 1997-2010), Brad Green (249 games, 2000-current), Jeff White (236 games, 1998-2008) and Brett Lovett (235 games, 1986-97).
North Melbourne: Nil
Coaching record
Mark Neeld: 16 matches, 2 win, 0 draws, 14 losses
Brad Scott: 60 matches, 30 wins, 0 draws, 30 losses
Injury list
Melbourne: Clint Bartram (knee) - season, Jamie Bennell (knee) - season, Mitch Clark (foot) - season, Aaron Davey (foot) - season, Max Gawn (knee) - season, Mark Jamar (calf) - 3 weeks, Liam Jurrah (ankle) - 2 weeks, Kelvin Lawrence (calf) - test, Jordie McKenzie (groin) - test, Jai Sheahan (ankle) - test, Rory Taggert (back) - indefinite, Luke Tapscott (groin) - test, Josh Tynan (concussion) - test, Jack Watts (ankle) - test
North Melbourne: Tom Curran (foot) - season, Hamish McIntosh (knee) - 1-2 weeks, Jack Ziebell (suspension) - 3 weeks
Players to watch
Melbourne: Brad Green
The 2010 club champion and former skipper will become just the eighth Demon to play 250 matches when he runs out against the Kangaroos - an outstanding achievement. After a tough season marred by injury and indifferent form early on, Green returned against Fremantle in round 16, booting three goals. Against Port Adelaide last Saturday night in Darwin, he was one of Melbourne’s best with two goals. He enters his milestone match in good form.
North Melbourne: Drew Petrie
Petrie has been in cracking form, kicking 14 goals in the past two matches. His seven majors against Richmond last round were instrumental in the win. He also kicked four goals against St Kilda in round 14. The big man has booted 43 goals for the season, and is five away from equaling his career best in a season - 48 last year.
Match-up to watch
Jake Spencer/Stef Martin v Todd Goldstein
The North Melbourne ruckman smashed 47 hit outs against Richmond last round, on the back of 38 against Carlton in round 16. He has 467 hit outs for the season - the fourth most in the competition. Developing ruckman Jake Spencer showed some good desire in Darwin, winning 18 hit outs, and will have another big job in the absence of the injured Mark Jamar. Stef Martin will switch between forward and ruck, playing a crucial role. It will be a key battle in the contest.
Most disposals
Melbourne: Nathan Jones (363)
North Melbourne: Andrew Swallow (410)
Most marks
Melbourne: Jeremy Howe (90)
North Melbourne: Drew Petrie (103)
Most tackles
Melbourne: Jordie McKenzie (92)
North Melbourne: Andrew Swallow (110)
Most goals
Melbourne: Mitch Clark (29)
North Melbourne: Drew Petrie (43)
How’s stat?
Melbourne has not defeated North Melbourne for six years. Its most recent win came in round 20, 2006, when Neale Daniher was coach. That victory was the end of a four-match winning streak over the Kangaroos. It was also Melbourne’s eighth win from its previous 11 encounters against North Melbourne.
Foot in both camps
Those who have been involved with both clubs include: Stan Alves, Ron Barassi, Paul Bryce, Phil Carman, Alastair Clarkson, Brent Crosswell, Daryl Cumming, Brian Dixon, Gerry Donnelly, Jack Harrison, Steven Icke, Alan Jarrott, Peter Keenan, Doug Koop, Johnny Lewis, Tony May, Tom McLean, Ernie O’Rourke, Byron Pickett, Martin Pike, Robert Pyman, Beres Reilly, Peter Schofield, Shaun Smith, Xavier Tanner, Dick Taylor, Tony Thiessen, Cliff Tyson, Brian Wilson, Rod Wright, Shane Zantuck.
What Jack Grimes says …
“They (North Melbourne) are going really well at the moment. They’ve won four of their last six, so they’re playing some really good footy. They had a really good win against Richmond last week and they’re a pretty good team too. We looked at their stats and the way that they’re moving the ball at the moment - they’re pretty dangerous. A lot of our focus this week is to try and stop that and slow it down and put them under as much pressure as we possibly can. We know if they get a run on with their ball movement and open the game up - they’re going to be hard to stop. We need to put the pressure on and if we do that, we think we’ll be a massive chance.”
Key Melbourne question
Can Melbourne end a six year losing streak against North Melbourne, win its first match at Etihad Stadium since round 19, 2007, and notch up its third win of the season?
Key North Melbourne question
The Roos are red hot favourites. Will they increase their finals prospects with a big win and claim back-to-back weeks in the top eight for the first time since rounds four and five?
Summary
Although the Demons have achieved far greater defeats this year, last round’s loss to Port Adelaide at TIO Stadium was particularly disappointing, given the Dees had not lost in Darwin against the Power. In the wash-up, Melbourne’s 11-point deficit at three quarter time was increased to a 28-point loss. It snapped a five game losing streak for the Power. For Melbourne, there is still plenty to play for this season - even if finals are way out of the equation - as it seeks to shape its list for 2013. The Demons have been hit hard by injuries - they had 14 listed players unavailable last round - and against an in form North Melbourne, it’s going to be a tough challenge. The Roos held on against Richmond last round by four points, but they are making a genuine launch past the first week in September. Overcoming the Kangas at Docklands is a massive task for the red and blue. But the Demons must keep presenting and pushing hard - even against a team which has won five of its past six matches since its mid-season break.
