SUMMARY
Neither North Melbourne nor Hawthorn was expected to be a serious factor in season 2018, but they meet in round five as top-eight sides. Only reigning premier Richmond has got the better of the Hawks this year, while the Roos levelled their ledger with a crushing defeat of Carlton at their Hobart base. This contest pits the AFL's No.1 clearance team (Hawthorn) against the top defence (North). Leading Brownlow Medal contender Tom Mitchell's stunning form is a major reason for the Hawks' success in the middle, along with Jaeger O'Meara recapturing his Gold Coast best. Throw in hard nut Liam Shiels and speedsters Isaac Smith and Jarman Impey, and the retooled Hawthorn onball division is a force to be reckoned with. The Roos' winning hopes rest on their ability to be competitive in the clinches, where Ben Cunnington, Shaun Higgins, Jack Ziebell and even ex-Hawk Jed Anderson will need to fire.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday, April 22, 3.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R21, 2017, Hawthorn 18.8 (116) d North Melbourne 14.5 (89) at University of Tasmania Stadium
R21, 2016, Hawthorn 14.12 (96) d North Melbourne 8.9 (57) at the MCG
R13, 2016, Hawthorn 14.9 (93) d North Melbourne 11.18 (84) at Etihad Stadium
R5, 2015, Hawthorn 19.16 (130) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70) at Etihad Stadium
R16, 2014, North Melbourne 16.12 (108) d Hawthorn 13.10 (88) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Hawthorn dominated the disposals and took 28 more marks in the teams' 2017 meeting, but lost the clearances and inside 50s. Jack Gunston collected three Brownlow votes for his 27 disposals, 11 marks and one goal.
2. Despite being 2-2 to start the season, the Kangaroos have the AFL's stingiest defence after the first month – conceding only 62 points per game. The Hawks are ranked second for scoring, kicking an average of 105 points.
3. Hawthorn has dominated North Melbourne in recent times, winning the last four matches and eight of the last nine. The Roos' last victory was in round 16, 2014 by 20 points.
4. The Hawks are the No.1 clearance team in 2018, averaging 44 per game. In contrast, North has struggled in that area, ranked 15th with an average of 35.
5. Hawthorn is aiming for its second 4-1 start in three seasons, while a win for the Kangaroos would be their first in back-to-back games since rounds nine and 10 last year.
6. Hawks onballer Jaeger O'Meara continues to scale the Schick Player Ratings, rising to 469th overall after starting the year at No.586. He was as high as 48th in late 2014.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR…
Ben Jacobs has settled back into his role as the Roos' resident tagger since shaking his persistent foot problems, but has his biggest test yet against Hawthorn's Tom Mitchell on Sunday. Demon Nathan Jones kept Mitchell to his lowest possession tally of the season – still 24, with 14 clearances – after the Hawk racked up 54, 40 and 42 in the first three rounds.
PREDICTION: Hawthorn by 33 points
