SUMMARY
You can't rewrite history, but North Melbourne will want to redeem itself for its round five fadeout in Perth against the Dockers. That night, the Roos blew a 29-point third-quarter lead to go down in one of four 2017 defeats by five points or fewer. Their season is shot as far as finals are concerned, but coach Brad Scott will be eager to find out which players will be key pillars in the future. Barring a draw – not inconceivable between clubs familiar with tight affairs – one of North or Fremantle will end a lengthy losing streak. The Roos have conceded four straight; the Dockers five. Michael Walters is in blazing form for Freo and North regains Ben Cunnington, but each team is minus star power. Aaron Sandilands is gone for the season and the Roos will be without Jarrad Waite for a month.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday, July 9, 1.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide http://www.afl.com.au/tv-radio/broadcastguide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R5, 2017, Fremantle 9.13 (67) d North Melbourne 9.8 (62) at Domain Stadium
R4, 2016, North Melbourne 20.12 (132) d Fremantle 14.17 (101) at Etihad Stadium
R21, 2015, North Melbourne 14.10 (94) d Fremantle 12.11 (83) at Etihad Stadium
R8, 2015, Fremantle 17.13 (115) d North Melbourne 5.12 (42) at Domain Stadium
R6, 2014, North Melbourne 10.14 (74) d Fremantle 8.13 (61) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Fremantle kicked five goals to two in the final quarter, including a Shane Kersten match-winner with only 40 seconds remaining, in round five at Domain Stadium. Aaron Sandilands dominated the ruck with 55 hit-outs – 29 more than the entire North Melbourne team.
2. The Kangaroos are a strong tackling side in 2017, ranked fifth with an average of 72.1, while the Dockers are ranked 17th with only 62.7 per game.
3. Both sides have been involved in close games this season: the Kangaroos have played four games decided by less than 10 points and the Dockers five.
4. There is a big difference playing home and away for the Dockers on the scoreboard. They’re averaging 18 points fewer away from Perth and conceding 26 points more to their opposition.
5. Heavily in North’s favour is its record against Fremantle at Etihad Stadium, winning six games to one. Ross Lyon's men haven’t won at Etihad against any opposition since round 19, 2015.
6. First-year Dockers ruckman Sean Darcy has made a strong start to his AFL career with key big man Aaron Sandilands afflicted by injury. His combined 30 disposals and 73 hit-outs across two games place him 614th in the Schick AFL Player Ratings.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Todd Goldstein
It is ‘go time’ for Goldy. The 29-year-old would have expected to be pitting himself against old foe Aaron Sandilands, but will instead come up against a player a decade his junior in two-gamer Sean Darcy. Darcy has proven himself extremely adept so far, but if ever Goldstein is going to make an impact it is this week.
PREDICTION: North Melbourne by 11 points
