SUMMARY
The next test in the Roo-vival is how Brad Scott's men handle the expectation their good performances will bring, after North Melbourne was a popular pre-season wooden spoon tip. The Kangas are suddenly considered a finals threat, thanks largely to impressive wins over Hawthorn and Sydney and pushing Richmond within 10 points last week. So the timing of their Hobart 'homecoming' – they have won 11 of their past 13 matches at Blundstone Arena – could hardly be better to maintain the rage. Healthy-again North midfielders Ben Jacobs and Jed Anderson have been revelations this year and loom as important again for the club's round nine battle with Greater Western Sydney. Jacobs might get the job on key Giants onballer Stephen Coniglio, who will need support from the likes of Callan Ward, Dylan Shiel and Tim Taranto if they are to arrest the team's two-game slide. Jeremy Cameron is due for a big bag of goals, too. 

TALE OF THE TAPEKANGAROOSGIANTS
LADDER10TH9TH
KICKS14TH6TH
MARKS17TH6TH
HANDBALLS15TH7TH
DISPOSALS16TH5TH
DISPOSAL EFFICIENCY17TH13TH
CONTESTED POSSESSIONS2ND9TH
UNCONTESTED POSSESSIONS16TH6TH
INSIDE 50S15TH9TH
MARKS INSIDE 5014TH9TH
POINTS FOR11TH12TH
POINTS AGAINST2ND4TH
CLEARANCES15TH5TH
CENTRE CLEARANCES18TH13TH
FREE KICKS FOR1ST16TH
FREE KICKS AGAINST14TH5TH
TACKLES8TH7TH
CONTESTED MARKS5TH10TH
GOALKICKING ACCURACY12TH16TH
HIGHEST SCORE18.8 (116)20.13 (133)
LOWEST SCORE5.9 (39)4.8 (32)
GOALS KICKED9389
BEHINDS KICKED85106
TOTAL POINTS643640
KICKED 100 POINTS OR MORE11
CONCEDED 100 POINTS OR MORE21
QUARTERS WON1715
4TH QUARTERS WON45
DEBUTANTS13

WHERE AND WHEN: Blundstone Arena, Saturday, May 19, 1.45pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES
R3, 2017, Greater Western Sydney 15.19 (109) d North Melbourne 10.7 (67) at Blundstone Arena
R23, 2016, Greater Western Sydney 14.16 (100) d North Melbourne 9.9 (63) at Etihad Stadium
R12, 2015, North Melbourne 18.9 (117) d Greater Western Sydney 8.13 (61) at Spotless Stadium
R20, 2014, North Melbourne 19.12 (126) d Greater Western Sydney 7.9 (51) at UNSW Canberra Oval
R14, 2013, North Melbourne 19.16 (130) d Greater Western Sydney 6.8 (44) at Etihad Stadium

THE SIX POINTS

1. The Kangaroos had more disposals and took more marks when the teams last played, but the Giants dominated the inside 50s 71-49 and ran away with the game in the second half – kicking nine goals to five.

2. Greater Western Sydney's scoring has dropped dramatically in recent weeks. After averaging 99 points per game in their first four games, the Giants have since averaged only 60 points in their last four.

3. After North won the first five contests between the sides, including three wins by more than 70 points, GWS has won the last two comfortably.

4. No team has received more free kicks this season than the Roos with 193 at 24.1. The Giants haven't been popular with the umpires, ranking equal 16th with just 18.4 per game.

5. North Melbourne has won 11 of its last 13 games at Blundstone Arena, including an 86-point thrashing of Carlton in round four. GWS has played twice in Hobart for one win.

6. Kangaroos ruckman Todd Goldstein was as high as No.3 in the Schick AFL Player Ratings two years ago, but his steady decline continues and is now 41st. That still makes him the fourth-highest big man, with Dawson Simpson the Giants' top-rated ruckman at No.569.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… 
Star midfielder Stephen Coniglio has been one of the Giants' top performers this year and he needs to keep performing at a high level – with several key members on the sidelines – if his team wants to get its season back on track. Could Roos minder Ben Jacobs be heading his way?

PREDICTION: North Melbourne by 15 points.