SUMMARY
The last time these teams met, Collingwood bullied North Melbourne into submission with Travis Cloke bagging four first-half goals. If the same thing happens this time the Roos should hang their heads in shame, given the Pies are a considerably younger side now. There are high stakes – the Magpies can go two games clear of North, or the Roos can join them on five wins. It will be interesting to see how both teams recover from their interstate trips, with the Pies regaining some of their earlier confidence with a comprehensive win over a depleted Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium, while the Kangaroos were handed a lesson by Fremantle at Domain Stadium.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Sunday May 31, 3.20pm AEST
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R5, 2014, Collingwood 15.15 (93) d North Melbourne 8.10 (58) at the MCG
R23, 2013, North Melbourne 19.11 (125) d Collingwood 17.12 (114) at the MCG
R1, 2013, Collingwood 15.13 (103) d North Melbourne 13.9 (87) at Etihad Stadium
R21, 2012, North Melbourne 13.13 (91) d Collingwood 8.13 (61) at Etihad Stadium
R16, 2011, Collingwood 22.15 (147) d North Melbourne 3.12 (30) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Collingwood is ranked second this season for inside 50s, averaging 57.7 a game, while the Kangaroos are ranked 14th with 48.2.
2. The Magpies are the No.1 contested possession team this year with 148.1 per game. Meanwhile, the Kangaroos have struggled in this area, ranking 15th at 132.1.
3. There is a big difference in MCG experience between the sides. This will be Collingwood's sixth game at the 'G this year, while the Kangaroos will be playing their first.
4. The Kangaroos have been a favourite of the umpires this year, ranking second for free kicks with 20.6 a game. Lindsay Thomas is ranked equal-third with 21 frees.
5. Travis Cloke was the difference between the sides when the Magpies defeated the Kangaroos by 35 points in round five last year. Cloke took 11 marks and kicked four goals, while Kangaroos tall forwards Drew Petrie and Aaron Black failed to kick a goal between them.
6. The Pies have the edge in the Official AFL Player Ratings, with skipper Scott Pendlebury consolidating his No.1 standing, well supported by fellow midfield guns Steele Sidebottom (16) and Dane Swan (57). The Roos, meanwhile, boast Brent Harvey (6) and Todd Goldstein (14) but are without Nick Dal Santo (19) and don't have another player inside the top 80.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Jarrad Waite. This is the kind of occasion the Roos will be hoping the former Blue will be up for: a must-win clash against the old enemy at the MCG. Aside from his seven-goal haul against the Brisbane Lions in round two, Waite has been so-so in his first season at North. A big performance here could reignite his campaign.
PREDICTION: Collingwood by five points
