NORTH Melbourne has followed some of its best wins this year with hugely disappointing losses. So after its outstanding win over reigning premier Hawthorn last Friday night, will North follow it with a loss to bottom-of-the-ladder St Kilda this Saturday? Nearly anything seems possible given the Roos' chronic inconsistency this season, but North fans should be in for a relatively stress-face day against the rebuilding Saints. After a bright 3-2 start to the season, the Saints have lost their past 10 games by an average margin of 63 points. And with North playing in front of its Hobart fans for the first time this year, its players have all the incentive they need to bring their A-games.





WHERE AND WHEN: Blundstone Arena, Saturday July 12, 2.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES
R10, 2013, North Melbourne 19.19 (133) d St Kilda 10.5 (65) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2012, North Melbourne 21.10 (136) d St Kilda 15.13 (103) at Etihad Stadium
R23, 2011, St Kilda 19.21 (135) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2011, St Kilda 12.7 (79) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70) at Etihad Stadium
R20, 2010, St Kilda 17.13 (115) d North Melbourne 9.9 (63) at Etihad Stadium

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THE SIX POINTS
1. North Melbourne will be playing its fifth game at Blundstone Arena this Saturday and has a 2-2 record at its Hobart 'home'. It will be St Kilda's first game at the venue.

2. In the Roos' win over the Saints last year, Aaron Black booted five goals, Brent Harvey and Drew Petrie four apiece and Todd Goldstein was best on ground in the ruck.

3. North is ranked second in the competition for disposal efficiency (73.7 per cent) this season, while St Kilda is languishing in 16th (70.9 per cent).

4. Only Gold Coast has had more clangers in 2014 than St Kilda, with the Saints averaging 46.7 a game. North is ranked 10th (43.9 a game).

5.  North small forward Lindsay Thomas averages just 5.8 player ratings points against St Kilda, his lowest return against any side.
Thomas is the 12th ranked small/medium forward in competition (113th overall) in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade.

6. North and St Kilda have met 151 times, with the Saints holding a 76- 73 edge. The remaining two games were draws.

Prediction: North Melbourne by 65 points