SUMMARY 

North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions head into this clash looking for their first wins of 2015. The Lions were disappointing in their home loss to Collingwood despite their late fight back, but North's start to the season was far worse, with the Roos humiliated by Adelaide by 77 points. The Kangaroos looked a pale imitation of the team that powered its way to a preliminary final last year and were uncharacteristically thumped in contested possessions by the Crows. However, North regularly bounced back from poor performances last season and, with Lions captain Tom Rockliff set to miss with injury, should be too strong for the visitors.

WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, 4.40pm AEST

TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES 

R15, 2014, Brisbane 10.10 (70) d North Melbourne 9.12 (66) at the Gabba
R9, 2014, North Melbourne 17.23 (125) d Brisbane 6.2 (38) at Etihad Stadium
R16, 2013, Brisbane 18.9 (117) d North Melbourne 17.3 (105) at the Gabba
R4, 2013, North Melbourne 18.17 (125) d Brisbane 9.8 (62) at Etihad Stadium
R9, 2012, North Melbourne 17.10 (112) d Brisbane 15.6 (96) at Etihad Stadium

THE SIX POINTS

1. It was one win each for these teams last season, with North triumphing by 87 points in round nine at Etihad Stadium before the Lions caused an upset in a four-point thriller at the Gabba in round 15.

2. The Lions have won two of the teams' last three clashes, but the Kangaroos have won four of the past six.

3. This will be the teams' 48th meeting, with North holding a 26-20-1 advantage.

4. North has won six of the teams' 11 games at Etihad Stadium, with one of the games a draw.

5. The Kangaroos won seven of 11 games at Etihad Stadium in 2014. The Lions won two of their three games at the Docklands venue last season but have not defeated North there since 2009.

6. The Lions won three of their six games in Victoria in 2014, but their three defeats came at an average losing margin of 58 points.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR…

Andrew Swallow. North Melbourne was smashed in the midfield last Sunday by Adelaide and its skipper had a rare dirty day. Swallow walked off Adelaide Oval with 22 touches next to his name, but few of them were damaging and just four were kicks. The three-time best and fairest winner has long been one of North's best contested ball-winners so he probably took the Crows' 142-115 domination of contested possessions personally. Swallow needs to lead from the front against the Lions as the Roos seek to get their season back on track. History suggests he will.

PREDICTION: North Melbourne by 19 points.