North Melbourne will know when it turns up on Sunday whether or not it is playing for a spot in the final eight. The finals carrot will dangle if both Carlton and the Brisbane Lions lose on Saturday. If a win will earn North Melbourne a finals berth then this game shapes as a classic. Either way it will be a tough pre-finals battle for Collingwood as North Melbourne is an exceptional attacking team. It's also worth noting Collingwood has won just one final round game since 2006, having beaten Essendon in the final round last season. In the Magpies favour is the fact the Kangaroos are without its best defenders and it has Travis Cloke inside 50. The Kangaroos' challenge is to apply enough midfield pressure to reduce his supply. This is a big task, given that the Collingwood midfield is classy and experienced in games with finals-like pressure. 

 

WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Sunday September 1, 3.20pm

 

 

R7, 2010, Collingwood 23.19 (157) d North Melbourne 14.7 (91) at the MCG

R2, 2011, Collingwood 21.17 (143) d North Melbourne 7.14 (56) at Etihad Stadium

R16, 2011, Collingwood 22.15 (147) d North Melbourne 3.12 (30) at the MCG

R21, 2012, North Melbourne 13.13 (91) d Collingwood 8.13 (61) at Etihad Stadium

R1, 2013, Collingwood 15.13 (103) d North Melbourne 13.9 (87) at Etihad Stadium

 

1. Collingwood has dominated North Melbourne recently, winning five of the last six contests including four wins by more than 50 points.

2. The most recent time these teams met in the final home and away round was in 2006 at the MCG. Collingwood won by 68 points. It then lost every last round between 2007-2011.

3. Respective coaches Nathan Buckley and Brad Scott last clashed at the MCG in round 10, 2006 when playing for Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions.

4. Collingwood has had the most disposals this season averaging 383.8 per game. North Melbourne is 10th with 363.9 per game.

5. North Melbourne is the third ranked scoring side this season averaging 104 points per game. Collingwood is seventh with 97 points per game.

6. Collingwood has conceded the fifth least points in 2013. North Melbourne has conceded the seventh least points in 2013.