Venue: Telstra Dome

Date: Sunday, April 27

Time: 2.10pm

Head.to.head: North Melbourne 71, Sydney Swans 74,  drawn 0

Last.time: North Melbourne 16.15 (111) d Sydney Swans 14.11 (95), round six, 2007, Telstra Dome

Betting: TABSportsbet: North Melbourne $1.95 Sydney Swans $1.78. Centrebet: North Melbourne $2.02 Sydney $1.80

Summary: Fortuitously for the Swans, the loss of big forward Barry Hall coincides with the unavailability for the Roos of backmen Daniel Pratt through suspension and Josh Gibson and Leigh Brown through injury. Following last week's rare public chiding from coach Paul Roos, expect a big game from Swans prime mover Adam Goodes. The Swans also need a lift from Michael O'Loughlin this week but he won't get any favours from Michael Firrito, and they need more from smaller forwards Nick Davis and Ryan O'Keefe. Both sides take great pride in their reputations for hard work and selflessness.

Key: Unless Goodes plays a blinder, the Roos appear to have the edge in the midfield through the likes of Daniel Harris, Daniel Wells and Brent Harvey.

Tip: North Melbourne by 15 points.