SUMMARY
North Melbourne's bid to avoid eight consecutive defeats comes against a team, Melbourne, it has not lost to since 2006 – a stretch of 16-straight triumphs, including by 14 points in round nine. The Roos have not dropped that many games in a row since losing 11 on the trot from rounds six to 16 in 1984. If ever the Demons, whose last finals appearance coincided with the most-recent defeat of the Roos, are going to end their hoodoo it is this week. They remain in the top-four mix and impressively dispatched Port Adelaide on Saturday, but could yet miss September action, such is the competition this season. Jack Viney's quick recovery from foot surgery and Max Gawn's and Jesse Hogan's return to form boosted Melbourne at the weekend. North could welcome back Jack Ziebell, Robbie Tarrant, Marley Williams and Mason Wood.
WHERE AND WHEN: Blundstone Arena, Saturday, July 29, 1.45pm AEST
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LAST FIVE TIMES
R9, 2017, North Melbourne 15.14 (104) d Melbourne 13.12 (90) at the MCG
R3, 2016, North Melbourne 21.10 (136) d Melbourne 20.11 (131) at Blundstone Arena
R19, 2015, North Melbourne 19.13 (127) d Melbourne 14.8 (92) at the MCG
R23, 2014, North Melbourne 19.9 (123) d Melbourne 14.9 (93) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2014, North Melbourne 15.17 (107) d Melbourne 10.6 (66) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Kangaroos lost the disposal count, clearances and contested possessions in round nine, but still held on to beat the Demons. North's key forwards were the difference, with Ben Brown and Mason Wood kicking eight goals between them.
2. Melbourne is a strong clearance team this season, ranked fourth with an average of 38.4, a long way ahead of the Roos in equal 12th with 35.4.
3. North Melbourne continues to dominate the Dees, winning the last 16 matches, including four by more than 50 points. Melbourne's most-recent win over the Kangas was in round 20, 2006.
4. The Demons are one of the best contested-possession teams in 2017, ranked second in averaging 153.3 per game. North is 11th, at an average of 140.
5. The Kangaroos' Blundstone Arena record is impressive, winning 10 of 14 matches, including eight consecutive victories from 2013-16. They’re one win from two games in Hobart this year.
6. Melbourne young gun Christian Petracca's strong season is reflected in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, where he has climbed from 364th at the end of 2016 to a personal-best 69th.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Ben Cunnington
It always is, but particularly this week as North Melbourne's star inside midfielder comes up against Melbourne, which has won the second-most contested possessions in the AFL this year. Cunnington racked up a career-best 26 contested ball a fortnight ago – the ninth time he has managed at least 20 in a game – and the Roos need more of that when they lock horns with the seventh-placed Demons.
PREDICTION: Melbourne by 30 points
