SUMMARY
North Melbourne is losing touch with the top eight, so there is no better time to play at its Hobart fortress, where the Roos have won 12 of their past 14 matches. But nothing about a date with West Coast, anywhere, is easy. North laid just 47 tackles to Collingwood's 83 last week and ranked last for the round in pressure factor differential, so will need to improve in that regard. Kangaroos defenders Robbie Tarrant, Scott Thompson and Jamie Macmillan will need support further afield if they are to quell a forward line that will contain Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling, Mark LeCras and Nathan Vardy at different times. The ruck battle between Todd Goldstein and Scott Lycett will also be important, but North won clearances and contested possessions against the Pies, so there are greater focus areas. West Coast will look for more of the same from Elliot Yeo, Andrew Gaff and the freshly re-signed Jeremy McGovern.
WHERE AND WHEN: Blundstone Arena, Sunday, July 29, 1.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R1, 2017, West Coast Eagles 21.10 (136) d North Melbourne 13.15 (93) at Etihad Stadium
R16, 2016, West Coast Eagles 16.8 (104) d North Melbourne 11.6 (72) at Subiaco Oval
2PF, 2015, West Coast Eagles 10.20 (80) d North Melbourne 7.13 (55) at Subiaco Oval
R10, 2015, North Melbourne 13.7 (85) d West Coast Eagles 10.15 (75) at Blundstone Arena
R11, 2014, North Melbourne 12.10 (82) d West Coast Eagles 6.8 (44) at Subiaco Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Eagles' key forwards were the difference when the sides last played. Josh Kennedy booted seven goals and Jack Darling chipping in with two. West Coast took 115 marks to 54 and dominated disposals, 414-341.
2. Both teams have played high-scoring football this season. The Eagles rank fourth for goals kicked (averaging 13.6) and North Melbourne sixth (12.8).
3. West Coast has dominated North Melbourne recently, winning eight of the past 10 matches, with the Kangaroos' last win coming in round 10, 2015 at Blundstone Arena.
4. The Eagles are ranked fourth for marks inside 50s this season and equal eighth for inside 50s, two areas North is placed 12th and 11th, respectively.
5. The Kangas have enjoyed success at Blundstone Arena in recent times, winning their past four matches and 12 of the past 14. West Coast has split its two visits to Hobart.
6. Signed-up Eagle Jeremy McGovern has overtaken Richmond's Alex Rance as the No.1 key defender in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, improving to No.20 overall. North's Scott Thompson is ranked eighth of key defenders (seventh if Tom McDonald is excluded) and 139th overall.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Robbie Tarrant looks set for the big job on West Coast's dual Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy, who kicked seven goals the last time the clubs met. He also boasts easily the longest streak of games with at least one goal at 53 (Dayne Zorko is next with 16) and has also kicked multiple majors in nine straight matches.
PREDICTION: West Coast by 24 points
