SUMMARY
Both clubs have thrived and suffered under the Friday-night glare this season. The Roos sparkled in the first-ever Good Friday match to shoot 29 points clear of the Dogs, only to lose one of their three heartbreakers by fewer than six points. The Saints chased down Greater Western Sydney in primetime in round seven, in what many thought was a statement victory. Instead, they have lost three in a row – including a Friday night loss to Adelaide – with a scrappy success over Carlton in between. St Kilda's finals hopes are already flickering and a seventh consecutive defeat to North Melbourne would put it in danger of slipping from 12th position. Nick Riewoldt (knee bone bruising) is due back for the Saints (5-6) in a major positive. But the Roos (4-7) are equally requiring a win, especially after a disappointing third quarter cost them badly against Richmond before the bye.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Friday, June 16, 7.50pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R19, 2016, North Melbourne 12.13 (85) d St Kilda 8.14 (62) at Etihad Stadium
R7, 2016, North Melbourne 11.16 (82) d St Kilda 11.9 (75) at Etihad Stadium
R20, 2015, North Melbourne 18.12 (120) d St Kilda 11.17 (83) at Blundstone Arena
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
THE SIX POINTS
1. In the most-recent contest between the sides, North Melbourne led by 22 points at three-quarter time before holding off the Saints in the final quarter. St Kilda won the inside 50s, but the Kangaroos claimed the clearances. Ben Brown booted three goals.
2. St Kilda has struggled in the last three weeks, losing three consecutive games by an average margin of 49 points and averaging only 57 points per match compared to its opposition’s 106.
3. North Melbourne has dominated the Saints in recent seasons, winning the past six matches, including two by more than 50 points. St Kilda's last victory was in round 23, 2011 under Ross Lyon by 65 points.
4. The Saints are a strong uncontested possession team this season, ranked in the top four with an average of 256.9. In comparison, the Roos are ranked in the bottom four with an average of 227.6.
5. Nothing separates the teams at Etihad Stadium, with 10 wins each from 20 contests, but North has pocketed the past four. The Kangas have lost five of seven games this season at the venue.
6. North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein (No.12) and St Kilda's three-time best and fairest Jack Steven (No.13) are the only players at their club ranked in the top 50 of the Official AFL Player Ratings.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Leigh Montagna
The best way to respond to Dermott Brereton's scathing article on Montagna's contested ball-winning abilities is for the veteran Saint to turn it on under the Friday night lights. For the record, the defender has averaged only four contested possessions – against 21.7 uncontested – in his past seven games. Montagna had 10 contested possessions in back-to-back weeks against the Brisbane Lions and Collingwood in rounds three and four.
PREDICTION: St Kilda by 13 points.
