NORTH MELBOURNE v WEST COAST

Venue: Carrara

Date: Saturday, May 17

Time: 7.10pm

Head to head: North Melbourne 16, West Coast 18, drawn 0

Last time: West Coast 17.17 (119) d North Melbourne 15.12 (102), round 19, 2007, Telstra Dome

Betting: TABSportsbet: North Melbourne $1.20 West Coast $4.20 Centrebet: North Melbourne $1.24 West Coast $4.05

Summary: North are quietly going about their business with three wins and a draw, and must now travel to the Gold Coast for one of three scheduled ‘home’ games there this year.

For their part, the Eagles were ordinary against Carlton, though Matt Priddis could return from injury to bolster a midfield badly exposed against the Blues. Up forward, the Eagles are struggling with Ashley Hansen battling hamstring problems, youngster Chad Jones breaking his ankle last week and Quinten Lynch a non-factor in 2008 so far.

With Brent Harvey racking up possessions at will, the Roos should be able to keep their finals push alive.

Key: Whether the Eagles' premiership stars - and there remain plenty at the club - are capable of stepping up and joining Dean Cox as regular week-to-week contributors.

Tip: North Melbourne by 34 points

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.