SUMMARY
North Melbourne hasn't beaten Gold Coast since 2012, but if they've ever got a chance to break that streak, it's this Saturday. The Kangaroos are precariously placed in 11th position, one win and percentage outside the top eight, so there should be no problem with motivation. The Suns have had the week from hell with off-field distractions and a poor performance against Carlton. However, with the expected return of skipper Gary Ablett, they should get a physical and emotional lift in front of their home fans. North Melbourne simply must win, and should do so.
WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday, July 4, 4.35pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R7, 2014, Gold Coast 18.12 (120) d North Melbourne 11.11 (77) at Etihad Stadium
R11, 2013, Gold Coast 9.12 (66) d North Melbourne 8.3 (51) at Metricon Stadium
R12, 2012 North Melbourne 11.21 (87) d Gold Coast 12.8 (80) at Metricon Stadium
R5, 2012, North Melbourne 17.25 (127) d Gold Coast 13.15 (93) at Etihad Stadium
R12, 2011, North Melbourne 18.14 (122) d Gold Coast 9.9 (63) at Metricon Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. It was a combination of tall and small forwards who did the damage for the Suns in their win last year. Charlie Dixon and Tom Lynch kicked five goals between them, while Gary Ablett, Brandon Matera and Harley Bennell combined for nine goals.
2. Gold Coast is the worst ranked team in 2015 for scoring, averaging just 67.6 points a game, compared to North Melbourne, which is ranked seventh with 89.1 points a game.
3. Gary Ablett has enjoyed playing the Kangaroos since joining the Suns, polling 10 Brownlow votes, including two best-on-ground performances.
4. North Melbourne is no stranger to Metricon Stadium and has a good record there, playing 12 games for nine wins. They played six home games on the Gold Coast in 2007-08.
5. One big plus for the Kangaroos is Todd Goldstein, ranked No.1 in the competition for his average of 43.5 hit-outs a game. The Kangaroos are ranked equal third for centre clearances.
6. Gold Coast's Tom Lynch continued to impress with four goals last week. The haul moved him to a career-high 105th overall in the AFL Official Player Ratings, and ninth among key forwards.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Gary Ablett. After a couple of weeks of teasing, this should be the week Ablett returns from his shoulder injury. The Suns skipper has waited and waited until he was 100 per cent, and will now be expected to perform close to his best first up. Just seeing the dual Brownlow medallist alongside them again should be enough to lift his teammates.
PREDICTION: Kangaroos by 26 points
