Head to head: North Melbourne 71 wins, Sydney Swans 76 wins, one draw
Last time: Sydney Swans 15.10 (100) d North Melbourne 13.7 (85), round 13, 2009 at SCG
MISSING IN ACTION
North Melbourne
Ben Speight (broken jaw) - 6 weeks
Matt Campbell (ankle) - 4-6 weeks
Drew Petrie (foot) - 4-6 weeks
Ed Lower (leg) - 2 weeks
Aaron Black (groin) - test
Sydney Swans
Craig Bird (foot) - 5 weeks
Brett Meredith (quad) - 1 week
Jarred Moore (ankle) - test
Jake Orreal (back) - TBA
Henry Playfair (ankle) - test
Kristin Thornton (knee) - 5 weeks
FORM
North Melbourne: LLW
Sydney Swans: LWW
SUMMARY
The Swans are 2-1 in 2010, and with a little luck in their first match against the Saints, they could be undefeated. As it is they're sitting in fourth, which is pretty good for a team predicted to be on the slide in coach Paul Roos' final season at the helm. Good recruiting after last season has already paid off, with former Hawk Ben McGlynn and ruck duo Mark Seaby and Shane Mumford slipping beautifully into the lineup.
The Roos had a horror first fortnight, but mirrored the form reversal of their skipper Brent Harvey to put the Eagles away at Etihad. Harvey bounced back with 44 touches after just five the week before, and will be looking to continue that form. Both Roos ruckmen are in the top 13 in the league so far this year, so watch for the battle of the big men.
PLAYER TO WATCH
North's Todd Goldstein is looking like a ruckman who is starting to show what he is capable of. The 21-year-old has fewer hit-outs than number-one ruck Hamish McIntosh, but has more disposals around the ground. Has laid 12 tackles in three matches, which speaks well of his work ethic when he doesn't have the ball.
Mark Seaby is clearly enjoying the responsibility of leading the ruck in his new Swans colours. The 25-year-old is coming into his prime as a ruckman, and the figures reflect that - sixth in the league for taps, and with eight tackles to his credit. Just two goals so far, but look for the Swans to use his marking power (13 in three rounds) and accurate left foot alongside fellow new recruit Daniel Bradshaw to stretch defences.
QUESTION MARKS
Can the Swans keep it rolling along? Two convincing wins, and a narrow loss to last year's grand finalists, suggests they can.
Will the Roos continue their form from last week, or will they slip back into the horror show that was round two?
Follow Cameron Noakes' inside view of North Melbourne v Sydney Swans #aflkangasswans on Twitter.com from 2:10pm Saturday or @AFL_CamNoakes#aflkangasswans
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
