NORTH Melbourne is in danger of claiming its first wooden spoon since 1972.

After the end-of-year resurgence from Adelaide, the Roos and Crows are now locked on three wins for the season and separated by less than six per cent on the ladder.

The Crows will obviously move past the Kangaroos if they can pull off a miracle upset over Richmond and the Eagles, as expected, win.

LADDER PREDICTOR Can your team make the eight?

But a Kangaroo capitulation, and a competitive showing from the Crows, could also see North sink to the bottom of the ladder.

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Match Previews R18: North Melbourne v West Coast

Sportsbet's Nathan Brown and Matthew Richardson preview the game between the Kangaroos and Eagles at Metricon Stadium

Published on Sep 17, 2020

But let's not forget the ramifications at the other end of the table.

RACE FOR THE FINALS What a win means for West Coast

If the Eagles down the Roos, they could finish as high as third depending on Richmond and Geelong's results (but they will remain fifth if the Tigers and Cats both win).

West Coast made four changes for the clash, recalling Dom Sheed (hamstring), Brendon Ah Chee (finger) and Bailey Williams, while 188cm defender Luke Foley has been named for his AFL debut.

FULL TEAMS Check 'em out

Four-time All Australian defender Jeremy McGovern goes out of the side due to a hamstring problem, while young trio Hamish Brayshaw, Xavier O'Neill and Jarrod Brander have all been dropped.

North Melbourne made two changes, with defensive duo Tom Murphy and Sam Durdin coming in, replacing Aiden Bonar (shoulder) and Mason Wood (omitted).