The Roos will use the match against the Demons to fine-tune their finals preparations
WITH a home elimination final all but stitched up, there appears little at stake for North Melbourne this Saturday night. But Kangaroos vice-captain Jack Ziebell said this week his team had a few problem areas it had to address ahead of the finals and would use the clash against the Demons to fine-tune them. North midfielder Daniel Wells, in particular, will be keen to find some fitness and form after his injury-plagued season. The Demons will be desperate to finish 2014 on a positive note after their form has fallen away badly in recent weeks. But after nine consecutive losses they would have to pull off a major upset to topple the Roos.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday August 30, 7.40pm AEST
1. When the teams met in round 14 this year, North led disposals 389-358, marks 126-89, tackles 66-58 and inside 50s 52-40.
2. Melbourne is on track for its lowest-scoring season since 1920, when it matched its 2014 average of 59 points a game.
3. The Kangaroos are ranked second in the AFL for disposal efficiency at 74 per cent, with Melbourne ranked equal third at 73.8 per cent.
4. North Melbourne has won the past 12 contests between the sides, with Melbourne's last win over the Roos coming in round 20, 2006.
5. Melbourne has lost its past 19 games at Etihad Stadium, with its last win at the Docklands venue coming in round 19, 2007, against the Western Bulldogs. The Demons have lost all seven of their games against North at Etihad by an average margin of 53 points.
6. Todd Goldstein averages more player ratings points against Melbourne than any other team (15.8 points a game). The North ruckman is ranked 20th overall in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade.
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