SUMMARY
North Melbourne will make the trip to its second home base in Hobart after surrendering a 39-point half-time lead in last Sunday's loss to Collingwood. Compounding the Roos' woes is the absence of coach Brad Scott, who has been sidelined for the next month after deciding to have back surgery. In-form West Coast will make the journey from the west full of optimism, with milestone man Josh Kennedy coming off a six-goal haul. Will North be able to rectify its early season performances with assistant coach Darren Crocker at the helm and make it five successive wins in Tasmania?
WHERE AND WHEN: Blundstone Arena, Sunday June 7, 3.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R11, 2014, North Melbourne 12.10 (82) d West Coast 6.8 (44) at Subiaco Oval
R8, 2013, West Coast 12.18 (90) d North Melbourne 13.10 (88) at Subiaco Oval
1EF, 2012, West Coast 24.18 (162) d North Melbourne 9.12 (66) at Subiaco Oval
R15, 2012, West Coast 12.14 (86) d North Melbourne 13.6 (84) at Blundstone Arena
R6, 2012, West Coast 17.18 (120) d North Melbourne 15.5 (95) at Subiaco Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. West Coast was held to its equal lowest score in club history against North Melbourne when the teams last met in round 11, 2014.
2. The Kangaroos broke a club record five-game losing streak against the Eagles in their last encounter. Before last season, the Roos hadn’t prevailed since late in 2010.
3. The Eagles are the No.1 scoring side this season with an average of 111 points per match, while the Kangaroos are ranked eighth with 88 points per game.
4. The Roos have won five of their seven games at Blundstone Arena, including their past four. The Eagles are one of only two teams to defeat North in Hobart (round 15, 2012).
5. West Coast is ranked fourth for inside 50 entries this season, averaging 55.8 per game. Meanwhile, North is ranked 13th in this area with 48.8 per game.
6. North ruckman Todd Goldstein climbed three places in the Official AFL Player Ratings, from No.14 to No.11, after accumulating 51 hit-outs and 19 touches against Collingwood last round.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Darren Crocker. North's well-respected assistant coach will assume the senior coaching role for the next month. Sunday's match against the Eagles won't be the first time Crocker has overseen the senior coaching gig at Arden Street. The 48-year-old coached the Roos' final 10 games in 2009 when Dean Laidley stepped down from his post.
PREDICTION: North Melbourne by seven points
