WHERE AND WHEN: StarTrack Oval, Saturday, August 9, 1.45pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide
LAST THREE TIMES
R14, 2013, North Melbourne 19.16 (130) d GWS 6.8 (44) at Etihad Stadium
R23, 2012, North Melbourne 16.9 (105) d GWS 11.11 (77) at Spotless Stadium
R2, 2012, North Melbourne 28.15 (183) d GWS 8.6 (54) at Blundstone Arena
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THE SIX POINTS
1. North Melbourne has had few troubles against GWS to date, winning all three contests between the teams by an average of 81 points.
2. Clearances are an area in which the Giants may be able to get on top – they are ranked equal second in the AFL with 40.6 per game. The Kangaroos are 14th.
3. GWS has played eight games in Canberra, with its lone victory coming against Gold Coast in round seven, 2012. North has a solid 4-2 interstate record in 2014.
4. Both sides boast strong ruck divisions, with GWS' Shane Mumford ranked second in the competition for average hit-outs per game. North's Todd Goldstein is sixth.
5. When these teams last met, in round 14 last year, Drew Petrie and Lindsay Thomas kicked nine goals between them, while Brent Harvey's 24 touches and three goals gave him the three Brownlow votes.
6. Callan Ward has been climbing the standings in the Official AFL Player Ratings. Ranked 43rd overall back in round five, he has risen to a career-high 17th entering round 20.
Prediction: North Melbourne by 21 points
