SUMMARY
In light of this week’s long-awaited decision on Essendon’s supplements program, this game looms as a real indicator of the Bombers' mental fortitude. They have now had three heavy defeats in a row and need to gain some sort of momentum before the finals (if the AFL spare them of a premiership points deduction). For North Melbourne, the best they can hope for is that ninth spot may permit them a finals berth. They sit one game behind West Coast (10th) and Carlton (ninth), although have a much healthier percentage than the both. Despite last week’s loss to Adelaide, they enter the game on the back of some reasonable form in the last month and will come out firing.

WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday August 17, 4.40pm (AEST)

TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds

LAST FIVE TIMES

R20, 2012, North Melbourne 15.10 (100) d Essendon 11.10 (76) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2012, Essendon 14.20 (104) d North Melbourne 15.12 (102) at Etihad Stadium
R13, 2011, North Melbourne 17.9 (111) d Essendon 12.18 (90) at Etihad Stadium
R17, 2010, Essendon 18.14 (122) d North Melbourne 18.11 (119) at Etihad Stadium
R4, 2009, North Melbourne 10.9 (69) d Essendon 7.15 (57) at Etihad Stadium

THE SIX POINTS
1. Essendon have lost their last three games by an average of 63 points. In these consecutive thrashings (against West Coast, Collingwood and Hawthorn) they’ve kicked an average score of just 69 points compared to their opposition’s 132.
2. North Melbourne have scored an average 103 points per game this season, bettered only by Hawthorn, Sydney and Geelong.
3. North have the upper hand at Etihad Stadium, winning eight of the 11 games at the venue this year.
4. Jobe Watson remains Essendon’s only player in the top 50 of the Official AFL Player Ratings, while North Melbourne have four – Brent Harvey, Daniel Wells, Drew Petrie and Scott Thompson.
5. This will be the 149th clash between the sides and Essendon holds a clear advantage, winning 95 games to 52, with one draw.
6. The last time these teams played in round 21 was in 1978 at Waverley Park. Ken Fletcher, Dustin’s father, was Essendon captain at the time.