SUMMARY
The sides will meet on a Friday night for the second time this year after the Kangaroos prevailed by 11 points in their last encounter under lights. Fast-forward eight weeks and both teams are coming off morale-boosting wins. Consistency is the key word at the Roos this week and they will have their sights set on getting their win-loss ledger into the black for the second time this year. The Bombers, however, are buzzing after a morale boosting win over Melbourne and will be confident of causing an upset after pushing North all the way in round seven. 

WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Friday July 17, 7.50pm AEST

TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES
R7, 2015, North Melbourne 13.15 (93) d Essendon 12.10 (82) at Etihad Stadium
2EF, 2014, North Melbourne 14.9 (93) d Essendon 12.9 (81) at the MCG
R1, 2014, Essendon 15.9 (99) d North Melbourne 9.6 (60) at Etihad Stadium
R21, 2013, North Melbourne 17.13 (115) d Essendon 9.16 (70) at Etihad Stadium
R20, 2012, North Melbourne 15.10 (100) d Essendon 11.10 (76) at Etihad Stadium

THE SIX POINTS
1. Vice-captain Jack Ziebell played a big role in the round seven win, collecting 29 touches (15 contested), 11 clearances and booting two goals.
2. Todd Goldstein remains the No.1 ruckman in the competition, averaging 45 hit-outs per game. His counterpart Shaun McKernan is averaging 18 hit-outs.
3. North has dominated Essendon at Etihad Stadium with 10 wins from 14 contests, including three of the last four.
4. Despite last week's win over Melbourne, Essendon's scoring problems continue. It was the sixth consecutive game in which they have kicked 11 goals or less.
5. The Bombers are ranked last for centre clearances in 2015, averaging 10.4 per game. The Roos are equal fourth with 13.1 per match.
6. Dyson Heppell is the highest ranked Bomber in the Official AFL Player Ratings at No.28 overall. He has climbed 14 places in the past fortnight. 

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Jarrad Waite
The 32-year-old has endured a tough initiation to life at Arden Street but is slowly finding his feet. Last round against Geelong, he finished with 18 touches and two goals in a game coach Brad Scott labelled the forward's best appearance for the Roos. With fellow goalkicker Drew Petrie accepting a one-match ban for striking, Waite will need to replicate last week's individual performance. 

PREDICTION: North Melbourne by 17 points.