Head to head: Collingwood 99 wins, North Melbourne 48 wins, two draws
Last time: Collingwood 19.13 (127) d North Melbourne 11.9 (75), round 6, 2009 at Etihad Stadium
Fresh from a dismal fadeout against Essendon in the Anzac day blockbuster last season, the Magpies steadied the ship with a convincing win over the Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium. The win was all the more impressive given the late withdrawals of Anthony Rocca and Heath Shaw, while Paul Medhurst wouldn’t be the same again in 2009 after badly injuring an ankle. An eight-goal-to-three second term established a 31-point lead at the main break for the Pies, and with Scott Pendlebury and Leon Davis in everything - and Tarkyn Lockyer effective in attack with four goals - Collingwood was far too good.
MISSING IN ACTION
North Melbourne
Ben Ross (hip) - TBC
Ben Speight (broken jaw) - TBC
Matt Campbell (ankle) - 2-3 weeks
Drew Petrie (foot) - 2-3 weeks
Gavin Urquhart (knee) - 2 weeks
LAST WEEK
North Melbourne 15.14 (104) d Melbourne 12.6 (78) at Etihad Stadium
The Kangaroos shot away in the second term, were close to being reeled in 30 minutes later before regaining the ascendancy and steadying to show great maturity for such a young side. While Melbourne’s credentials aren’t yet fully known, it was an impressive display from Brad Scott’s team. His young midfield not only plays with enthusiasm but, like its coach during his own playing days, won’t back away from the contest.
Leading goalkicker - David Hale (15)
Leading ballwinner - Brady Rawlings (157)
DANGER MAN
Perhaps the man posing the most danger for Collingwood this week won’t actually run out in a North Melbourne jumper, but instead be coaching against the Pies. Former Collingwood assistant and now Kangas coach Brad Scott will know the ins and outs of many at the Westpac Centre, so he’ll have been running over his match-ups for some time. How valuable will his knowledge of the Collingwood list, and in particular midfield group, prove on Saturday night?
HOW’S STAT?
Collingwood and North Melbourne have squared the ledger from their past eight meetings, however the average winning margins tell a very different tale. North’s past four wins over the Pies have been by just eight points - with its largest win being 20 points - while the Pies’ past four wins over the ‘Roos have been by about eight goals.
WHAT THE OPPOSITION SAYS
"In terms of inside knowledge, I’ve got a pretty good idea of the personnel but six months in footy is a long time. Things have changed, their coaching staff has changed, their personnel with Luke Ball and (Darren) Jolly has changed.
"I don't think … that inside knowledge is any great advantage, the only possible advantage is to really understand their personnel." - North Melbourne coach Brad Scott
WHAT THE PIES SAY
"If you've got your systems right, they (the players) pick it up pretty quickly, they know right from wrong and they start to reflect that coach, so I’m seeing that now.
"It's a very good point to have as a young coach and there’s no reason he (Scott) can’t be a career coach.” - Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse on his former protégé
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
