IN THE final game of a brilliant round of footy, winless sides North Melbourne and Hawthorn meet at Marvel Stadium for a chance to leave the other at the bottom of the ladder.

The Kangaroos (0-5) have faced a challenging start to their season, with all their clashes coming against finals hopefuls, but any hint of excuses over the fixture must end when it takes on 17th-placed Hawthorn.

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North is yet to hold an opposition to fewer than 100 points this year but can be buoyed by the Hawks' scoring struggles in a clash between the two remaining winless teams.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell turned the blowtorch on his own players when describing their performance against Gold Coast as "a completely unacceptable way to play" last weekend.

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Match Previews R6: North Melbourne v Hawthorn

Sportsbet's Nathan Brown and Kane Cornes preview the game between the Kangaroos and Hawks at Marvel Stadium

Published on Apr 16, 2024

The Hawks have now lost the first five matches of a season for the first time since 1970, but arguably face the ideal opponent to snap their losing streak.

North has regained Cam Zurhaar and recalled Will Phillips, with Hugh Greenwood omitted and George Wardlaw managed.

The Hawks, meanwhile, swung the axe, dropping Josh Ward, Max Ramsden and Sam Butler, with Harry Morrison, Jack Gunston and Jai Serong coming into their side.

North Melbourne v Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium, 4.05pm AEST

NO LATE CHANGES

SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Charlie Lazarro
Hawthorn: Henry Hustwaite

Sydney v Gold Coast at the SCG, 1.05pm AEST

NO LATE CHANGES

SUBSTITUTES
Sydney: Braeden Campbell
Gold Coast: David Swallow