SUMMARY
About a month out from the end of the season, this looked like being the battle for the wooden spoon, and that's exactly how it's panned out. Both clubs have five wins, with the winner to jump as high as 15th and the loser stuck with the spoon. Yes, the loser also gets the number one pick at the draft, but with such an even crop of young talent this year, the almost annual tanking debate seems pointless. The Lions have fought hard in the second half of the year, led by white-hot skipper Dayne Beams and his explosive midfield mate Dayne Zorko. They have won four matches since the bye and taken it right up to the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne in the past three weeks before narrowly losing. The Kangaroos have also been competitive most weeks, but seem to be just running out of energy as the season draws to a close. If form holds up, the Lions should win on their home ground.
WHERE AND WHEN: The Gabba, Saturday, August 26, 2.10pm AEST
FOLLOW IT LIVE VIA MATCH CENTRE
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R2, 2016, North Melbourne 17.15 (117) d Brisbane Lions 11.17 (83) at the Gabba
R17, 2015, North Melbourne 16.14 (110) d Brisbane Lions 5.8 (38) at the Gabba
R2, 2015, North Melbourne 20.13 (133) d Brisbane Lions 7.9 (51) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2014, Brisbane Lions 10.10 (70) d North Melbourne 9.12 (66) at the Gabba
R9, 2014, North Melbourne 17.23 (125) d Brisbane Lions 6.2 (38) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Jarrad Waite starred when the teams last played with 23 disposals and five goals, earning him the three Brownlow Medal votes. Ben Brown booted three goals and Brent Harvey had 24 disposals and two goals.
2. The Lions' scoring has improved in recent weeks. In the first 17 rounds they averaged 82 points a game, and since then that’s increased to 95.
3. The clubs have met 50 times previously, with the Kangaroos holding a strong 29-20 advantage, with one draw. The Roos have also won six of the past eight matches.
4. The Lions have struggled to take the ball inside 50 this season, ranked last with 45.9 entries a match. North Melbourne is ranked 11th with an average of 52.3.
5. Win or lose it will be the worst season for the Kangaroos since their wooden spoon year in 1972 when they won just a single game. Since then they’ve never won fewer than seven games.
6. Kangaroo midfielder Ben Cunnington had a huge match against St Kilda last week, racking up 36 touches, seven tackles and two goals. It moved the 26-year-old to a career-high 40th overall in the Schick AFL Official Player Ratings.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Scott Thompson
The North Melbourne defender plays his 200th game. Since making his debut in 2008, Thompson has been one of the most consistent and resilient Kangaroos, playing at least 19 games in each of the past nine seasons. He'll likely have his hands full for his milestone game, up against young Lion Eric Hipwood.
PREDICTION: Brisbane Lions by 35 points
