SUMMARY
North Melbourne could quite easily be 3-2 and sitting inside the top eight, if not for its inability to close out matches against Geelong, the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle. The Roos are instead 0-5 and simply must beat Gold Coast, which returned to earth with a thud in a heavy loss to competition pacesetter Adelaide. The Robbie Tarrant-Tom Lynch showdown could go a long way to deciding the contest, with the young Suns focal point booting four goals in the corresponding clash last year. North Melbourne will need savvy on-baller Ben Cunnington to maintain his red-hot form to help win the midfield battle.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday, April 29, 7.25pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R5, 2016, North Melbourne 18.11 (119) d Gold Coast 11.15 (81) at Metricon Stadium
R14, 2015, Gold Coast 19.11 (125) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70) at Metricon Stadium
R7, 2014, Gold Coast 18.12 (120) d North Melbourne 11.11 (77) at Etihad Stadium
R11, 2013, Gold Coast 9.12 (66) d North Melbourne 8.3 (51) at Metricon Stadium
R12, 2012, North Melbourne 11.21 (87) d Gold Coast 12.8 (80) at Metricon Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The now retired Nick Dal Santo collected the three Brownlow votes when the teams last played, thanks to 28 disposals and five inside-50s. Ben Brown kicked four goals and Shaun Higgins three. Tom Lynch booted four goals for the Suns.
2. Gold Coast is the No.1-ranked centre clearance side in 2017, averaging 18.8 per game – a long way ahead of North Melbourne with 13 per game.
3. North Melbourne and Gold Coast clash for the eighth time and the Kangaroos hold a narrow advantage with four wins to three. The Suns have won three of the last four.
4. The Kangaroos are 0-5 for the first time since 1972. They’ve lost 15 of their last 17 games and three times this season when leading at three-quarter time.
5. This is only the third Etihad Stadium contest between the sides, for one win each. The Kangaroos won in 2012 before the Suns won in round seven, 2014 by 43 points.
6. Tom Lynch is ranked No.2 among key forwards in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, behind only Sydney Swans superstar Lance Franklin.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Peter Wright
Two-metre Peter began to deliver last year on the promise that made him a top-10 draft pick in 2014, kicking 27 goals in 17 matches. Wright looked to have snapped out of his funk somewhat with three goals against Carlton, but failed to hit the scoreboard against Adelaide last week.
PREDICTION: North Melbourne by 22 points
