SUMMARY
North Melbourne will make the trip to its second home base in Hobart for the third and final time this season, while St Kilda will be aiming to rediscover its hunger after succumbing to ladder leader Fremantle. Compounding matters is the Kangaroos' good record at Blundstone Arena – they've won their past five matches at the venue and will be warm favourites to make it six straight. The Saints were restricted just three goals when they last met the Roos and have struggled to find an avenue to goal since round 15, averaging 62 points per game.
WHERE AND WHEN: Blundstone Arena, Saturday August 15, 2.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R17, 2014, North Melbourne 13.14 (92) d St Kilda 3.15 (33) at Blundstone Arena
R10, 2013, North Melbourne 19.19 (133) d St Kilda 10.5 (65) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2012, North Melbourne 21.10 (136) d St Kilda 15.13 (103) at Etihad Stadium
R23, 2011, St Kilda 19.21 (135) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2011, St Kilda 12.7 (79) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Todd Goldstein polled three Brownlow votes when the sides last met, finishing with 20 possessions, two goals and 39 hit-outs in a dominant ruck display.
2. The Roos are the only undefeated team in the competition in the past five games, averaging 113 points and conceding only 66 points.
3. This is the 153rd meeting between the sides, with 76 wins to 74 in the Saints' favour and two draws. North has won the last three games.
4. The Roos have won six of their eight games at Blundstone Arena, including the past five. St Kilda has played in Tasmania 11 times for six wins at three different venues.
5. The Kangaroos are ranked fourth in centre clearances this season, averaging 13.1. The Saints are ranked 15th at 10.7 per game.
6. Ben Cunnington climbed 12 places, from No.57 to No.45 overall, in the Official AFL Player Ratings last week. He's the fourth-highest Roo.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Ben Jacobs. After featuring across half-back in the first half of the season, the 23-year-old has assumed a new run-with role since round 11 to great effect and restricted Melbourne captain Nathan Jones to just 12 disposals last round. Jacobs, who last week signed a one-year contract extension, is likely to be assigned the task of stopping in-form Saints David Armitage or Jack Steven.
PREDICTION: North Melbourne by 18 points
