Head to head: Melbourne 79 wins, North Melbourne 65 wins, four draws
Last time: North Melbourne 15.14 (104) d Melbourne 12.6 (78), round six, 2010 at Etihad Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
Melbourne
Aaron Davey (leg) - season
Max Gawn (knee) - season
Jack Grimes (hamstring) - season
Jordan Gysberts (back) - season
Neville Jetta (shoulder) - season
Joel Macdonald (ankle) - test
Stefan Martin (hip) - season
John Meesen (foot) - season
Ricky Petterd (shoulder) - season
Jake Spencer (back) - season
Colin Sylvia (ill) - test
Luke Tapscott (shoulder) - season
North Melbourne
Leigh Adams (concussion) - test
Liam Anthony (shoulder) - indefinite
Aaron Black (hip) - indefinite
Todd Goldstein (calf) - test
Ed Lower (broken collarbone) - indefinite
Drew Petrie (foot) - indefinite
Ben Ross (hip/groin) - indefinite
Josh Smith (nose) - test
Lindsay Thomas (knee) - indefinite
Jack Ziebell (leg) - indefinite
FORM
Melbourne: WWWLL
North Melbourne: LLWLW
SUMMARY
With the finals out of reach for both teams, this shapes as a battle for best team outside the eight. North Melbourne has enjoyed a very competitive season and has performed above the expectations of many, even if rookie coach Brad Scott keeps refusing to hail it a success. The Kangaroos were too good for wooden-spooner West Coast over at Subiaco in their last outing, which meant champion midfielder Brent Harvey was able to celebrate his 300th game with a win. Melbourne, meanwhile, has had a topsy-turvy campaign. The Demons were great at the start of the year, before they endured a horror run through June and July. They found their form again when they strung together three consecutive wins in rounds 17, 18 and 19, but after dropping their last two matches they’ll be keen to end the season on a positive note.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Liam Jurrah’s return from a serious shoulder injury has warmed the hearts of the Melbourne faithful. Jurrah capped off his comeback last weekend by hauling in an extraordinary contender for mark of the year against Port Adelaide.
In the absence of Drew Petrie, young gun Lachie Hansen has stepped up and become the key target in North Melbourne’s forward line. In his 21 games this season he’s booted 23 goals, which is a decent return for a player who spent most of 2009 in the backline.
QUESTION MARKS
Which is the best team outside the top eight? North Melbourne will finish higher on the ladder but who will have bragging rights?.
Can the Dees break their losing streak against the Roos? North Melbourne has won the past seven matches between the two teams.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
After recent losses to Hawthorn and Port Adelaide, the Demons will be desperate to prove they are a side on the up. Youngsters like Tom Scully and Jack Trengove should ensure the Dees have too much class through the middle of the ground in what shapes as a pretty entertaining and free-flowing affair.
PREDICTION
Melbourne by 28 points
Chat with host Murray Belkin and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 4.10pm Sunday or join the conversation on Twitter: #afldemonsroos
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
