SUMMARY
It's an historic night at the Gabba with North Melbourne veteran Brent Harvey becoming just the fourth man in VFL/AFL history to notch 400 matches. Aside from celebrating Boomer's milestone, the Kangaroos are just as eager to lock up four premiership points as they desperately fight for a place in September's finals action. Fresh off a 25-point win over Essendon, North Melbourne is now 10th and half-a-game outside the top eight. Conversely the Lions are propping up the table following a horror loss against Melbourne last week and need to start giving their fans something to cheer for. The Lions got up in the corresponding match last season in dramatic fashion, but it's hard to see the Kangaroos allowing a repeat performance on such an important occasion.
WHERE AND WHEN: the Gabba, Saturday, July 25, 7.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast night
LAST FIVE TIMES
R2, 2015, North Melbourne 20.13 (133) d Brisbane Lions 7.9 (51) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2014, Brisbane Lions 10.10 (70) d North Melbourne 9.12 (66) at the Gabba
R9, 2014, North Melbourne 17.23 (125) d Brisbane Lions 6.2 (38) at Etihad Stadium
R16, 2013, Brisbane Lions 18.9 (117) d North Melbourne 17.3 (105) at the Gabba
R4, 2013, North Melbourne 18.17 (125) d Brisbane Lions 9.8 (62) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Kangaroos dominated the match earlier this season, with Jarrad Waite booting a career equalling best seven goals and Sam Gibson starring with 33 possessions. Jack Redden had 28 touches for the Lions.
2. The Lions continue to struggle in most areas, ranked in the bottom three in kicks, disposals, contested possessions, uncontested possessions, contested marks, marks inside 50 and goals a game.
3. This will be the 49th meeting between the clubs, with the Kangaroos holding a 27-20 advantage with one draw. However the Lions have won 13 of 17 at the Gabba, including the past six.
4. North Melbourne has been impressive this season in centre clearances, ranked third with 13.4 a game compared to the Lions, ranked equal 11th averaging 11.4.
5. North Melbourne has struggled to take the ball inside 50 this season, ranked 12th with 49.8 a game. They are ranked ninth for marks inside 50.
6. Todd Goldstein is continuing his remarkable season and is up to eighth overall in the Official AFL Player Ratings after last week's 27 disposal, 56 hit-out game against the Bombers.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Brent Harvey Who else could it be? The little Kangaroos champion plays his 400th career game to join Michael Tuck, Kevin Bartlett and Dustin Fletcher in the exclusive club. Keep an eye out for any words of advice from Lions skipper Tom Rockliff. It was the corresponding match last year that landed Rockliff in hot water after he directed some choice words towards Harvey after the full-time siren.
PREDICTION: Kangaroos by 25 points
