SUMMARY
This game could have significant ramifications in the final order of the top-eight given just one game and percentage separates second and eighth spot on the AFL ladder with eight rounds remaining. The Eagles need to beat a top-eight side if they are to be legitimate contenders and a win this week could vault them right into top-four calculations. North Melbourne was on top of the AFL ladder after round 12 but could drop to eighth with a loss on Sunday. The Kangaroos hold a significant advantage in the ruck with Todd Goldstein hoping to take advantage of the absence of Nic Naitanui. Straight kicking might be the difference in this game. Both sides butchered opportunities to capitalise on periods on dominance in last year's preliminary final.
The spotlight will again be on high-profile recruit Lewis Jetta against the Roos. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Sunday, July 10, 1.20pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
2PF, 2015, West Coast Eagles 10.20 (80) d North Melbourne 7.13 (55) at Domain Stadium
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 Domain Stadium
R8, 2013, West Coast Eagles 12.18 (90) d North Melbourne 13.10 (88) at Domain Stadium
1EF, 2012, West Coast Eagles 24.18 (162) d North Melbourne 9.12 (66) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Eagles should have won by more in last year's preliminary final, kicking twice as many behinds as goals. Josh Kennedy kicked 2.3, Mark LeCras 1.4 and Jamie Cripps four behinds. West Coast had 10 more scoring shots and eight more inside 50s.
2. Both teams prefer to move the ball by foot rather than by hand. West Coast is 17th for handballs this season with 153 per game and North Melbourne is last with 152.1 per game.
3. Despite the loss of Nic Naitanui, the Eagles remain the top-ranked team for hit-outs per game with 50.1. They are ranked equal-third for centre clearances.
4. West Coast has dominated North Melbourne at Domain Stadium, winning 13 of 18 contests including five of the last six. Since 2011 the Kangaroos have lost eight of their last 10 games in Perth.
5. The Eagles have seven wins from eight games at Domain Stadium this season and average 122 points per game. By contrast, away from Perth they have four losses from six games and average just 80 points per game.
6. Todd Goldstein (seventh) is actually ranked behind Nic Naitanui (sixth) on the Schick AFL Player Ratings. But in Naitanui's absence, Goldstein will face Scott Lycett who is ranked 293rd overall and 19th among all ruckmen.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Lewis Jetta
He worked his way back into some touch against Essendon with 15 disposals and three inside 50s. He could be an influential figure against the Kangaroos if he can find enough of the football.
PREDICTION: West Coast by 20 points
