SportsBet odds: $1.88 vs. $1.94
15th vs. 10th
“Beware the wounded tiger” almost applies for North this week. Now only if they weren’t so damn wounded……..
West Coast, despite some decent performances, are still without a win despite high-hopes for a final placing during the pre-season.
After being smashed last week by St Kilda, rookie North Melbourne coach Brad Scott said “Today either can be a blip on the radar … or it can be a defining moment for where we want to go as a club. We’ll find out sooner rather than later.”
We might find out this week.
Previous Encounter:
Round 20, 2008
West Coast – 17.8 (110)
North Melbourne – 10.12 (72)
A 7 goal to 2 third quarter set up a 38 point victory for West Coast at home against North Melbourne in a dead rubber.
The likes of Houlihan, Naitanui and Wilson continue to impress for West Coast who are finishing off the year in a good way.
For North, the likes of Anthony and Adams did well in a trying team performance.
Key Players for North Melbourne:
Brent Harvey – With a 5 possession game after being well beaten by Clinton Jones, the North skipper is needed and expected to bounce back and show the way for his young midfield colleagues.
Hamish McIntosh – He’ll be facing a Dean Cox whose form has been openly criticised in the media. Good luck to the Big H. Cox will be fired up.
Key Players for West Coast:
Dean Cox – After being called-out in the media, he will be gearing himself for a statement.
Beau Waters – With the loss of the steady-head of Shannon Hurn from the backline due to suspension; Waters will be needed to continue his good start to the season.
Prediction:
With West Coast travelling, and North absolutely having to show something after a shocker last week, they are in with a chance. However, it’s too much of a gamble to tip them when West Coast’s season could suffer irreparable damage with a loss here.
West Coast in a close one.
Teams:
North Melbourne
B: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Sam Wright
HB: Michael Firrito, Lachie Hansen, Nathan Grima
C: Daniel Wells, Brent Harvey, Leigh Harding
HF: Liam Anthony, Brady Rawlings, Aaron Edwards
F: Ben Warren, David Hale, Lindsay Thomas
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Jack Ziebell, Andrew Swallow
I/C: Leigh Adams, Gavin Urquhart, Todd Goldstein, Ryan Bastinac
Emg: Ben Ross, Robbie Tarrant, Ben Speight
In: McMahon, Harding, Edwards
Out: Corey Jones, Ben Ross, Matt Campbell
West Coast
B: Matt Spangher, Darren Glass, Brett Jones
HB: Andrew Embley, Will Schofield, Beau Waters
C: Matt Rosa, Matt Priddis, Bradd Dalziell
HF: Chris Masten, Josh Kennedy, Luke Shuey
F: Mitch Brown, Ashley Hansen, Mark LeCras
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Daniel Kerr, Adam Selwood
I/C: Dean Cox, Brad Ebert, Scott Selwood, Tom Swift
Emg: Ben McKinley, Eric Mackenzie, Ashley Smith
In: Schofield, Rosa, Dalziell, Hansen, LeCras
Out: Sam Butler (facial fracture), Mark Nicoski (shoulder), Pat McGinnity (quad), Shannon Hurn (suspended), Eric Mackenzie
New: Bradd Dalziell (Brisbane Lions)
Tags: Beau Waters, Brent Harvey, Dean Cox, Hamish Mcintosh
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I predict Nth Melbourne to win this by 18 points. And the reason? They won’t have that girl James Bartel in their team holding them back. Go North!