Head to head: St Kilda 72 wins, North Melbourne 71 wins, two draws
Last time: North Melbourne 10.4 (64) d St Kilda 8.11 (59), round 21, 2009 at Etihad Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
St Kilda
Raphael Clarke (hamstring) - to be assessed
Robert Eddy (ankle) - to be assessed
Sam Fisher (ankle) - 3-5 weeks
Lenny Hayes (corked calf) - to be assessed
Jesse Smith (ankle) - to be assessed
Jack Steven (foot) - to be assessed
Justin Koschitzke (suspended) - 3 weeks
North Melbourne
Majak Daw (toe) - test
Cruize Garlett (wrist) - test
Levi Greenwood (toe) - 1-2 weeks
Ed Lower (leg) - 2-3 weeks
Alan Obst (quad) - 2-3 weeks
Drew Petrie (foot) - 6 weeks
SUMMARY
North Melbourne's main edge in this game is that it was one of few sides to knock off the Saints last year, in round 21. But a change of coach and a high player turnover means a new world at Arden St this year and they are unlikely to catch the Saints off guard again.
The Roos bounced back from a poor first half last week against Port Adelaide to almost steal a win. There are some promising signs, but they will have to get used to life without Drew Petrie while he recovers from his foot injury. Petrie's efforts in the dying minutes of last year's game were crucial to getting North a win and he will be sorely missed.
The Saints battled hard to defeat the Swans last week but should look more at home back at the familiar territory of Etihad Stadium. Nick Riewoldt has lost none of his form from last year while Leigh Montagna, Brendon Goddard and Sam Gilbert are still starring. Justin Koschitzke will be in the stands as he begins his three-week suspension but the Saints should be able to cover him.The Roos bounced back from a poor first half last week against Port Adelaide to almost steal a win. There are some promising signs, but they will have to get used to life without Drew Petrie while he recovers from his foot injury. Petrie's efforts in the dying minutes of last year's game were crucial to getting North a win and he will be sorely missed.
PLAYER TO WATCH
There is no guarantee that St Kilda's Rhys Stanley will even make his debut this week, but going by his NAB Cup form he is the logical replacement for Koschitzke as a tall forward. Saints fans were left drooling at his ground level work as well as his contested marking and he has shown plenty of promise already.
Ryan Bastinac dominated North Melbourne’s pre-season and impressed in his debut last week with 23 touches. Bastinac will face a formidable challenge against the St Kilda midfield, but whatever happens it will be beneficial for his football education.
QUESTION MARKS
Can North Melbourne win without Drew Petrie? It's hard to see North defeating one of the elite sides without him playing, but as long as they don’t have the start they had last week it can't be ruled out.
Who rucks for St Kilda? It wasn’t so long ago that the Saints had next to no ruck prospects. Now they have Steven King and Ben McEvoy sharing the duties, with Michael Gardiner close to a return. Not many coaches would put three ruckmen in the one team but it is uncertain who will miss out.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
