SUMMARY
The football public should be in for an interesting clash on Friday night given both Essendon and North Melbourne viewed themselves as contenders at the start of the season but are yet to hit top form. A win would get one team ahead of the ledger (both have three wins and three losses), but also give them some important confidence after the opening six rounds. North Melbourne enters the game after a comfortable but scrappy win over Richmond, while Essendon was never in the contest against a red-hot Fremantle at Domain Stadium.

WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Friday, May 15, 7.50pm EST

TV AND RADIO: www.afl.com.au/broadcastguide.workstation

LAST FIVE TIMES
2EF, 2014, North Melbourne 14.9 (93) d Essendon 12.9 (81) at the MCG
RD1, 2014, Essendon 15.9 (99) d North Melbourne 9.6 (60) at Etihad Stadium
R21, 2013, North Melbourne 17.13 (115) d Essendon 9.16 (70) at Etihad Stadium
R20, 2012, North Melbourne 15.10 (100) d Essendon 11.10 (76) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2012, Essendon 14.20 (104) d North Melbourne 15.12 (102) at Etihad Stadium

THE SIX POINTS
1. The Bombers continue to struggle to score, being ranked 16th for points per game (averaging only 71). North is ranked fourth for points scored with an average of 94 a game.  Essendon has managed only 61 goals for the season.

2. This will be the 151st contest between the sides and Essendon holds the advantage, winning 96 games to North's 54. There has been one draw and the Kangaroos have won five of the past eight encounters.

3. The Kangaroos are the worst tackling side in 2015, ranked 18th at 54.3 per game. The Bombers have been good in this area, ranked sixth at 70.2 per game.

4. Heavily in North Melbourne's favour is its record against Essendon at Etihad Stadium. Despite it being the home ground for both teams, North has recorded nine wins from 13 games including four of five Friday night contests.

5. The Bombers persist with their high possession game-plan, ranked second for average disposals per game with 385.3. North Melbourne is 11th at 363 per game.

6. It will be a challenge for Essendon ruckman Tom Bellchambers as he faces the most in-form big man in the game, Todd Goldstein. At No.12 overall, Goldstein is the highest-ranked ruckman in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Ben Brown. Brown has had a strong start to his second AFL season, and the last time he played Essendon he booted four goals to help the Roos to an elimination final win. Do that again and the Roos will be on their way to another win.

PREDICTION: North Melbourne by eight points