Head to head: Hawthorn 88 wins, North Melbourne 73 wins, two draws
Last time: Hawthorn 10.13 (73) d North Melbourne 9.10 (64), round 15, 2009 at Aurora Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
Hawthorn
Max Bailey (knee) - indefinite
Shaun Burgoyne (jaw) - 3-6 weeks
Josh Gibson (hamstring) - 10-12 weeks
Rhan Hooper (hamstring) - 2 weeks
Brad Sewell (shoulder) - test
Wayde Skipper (hamstring) - 4 weeks
Simon Taylor (leg) - 12-14 weeks
North Melbourne
Drew Petrie (foot) - 4-6 weeks
Ben Speight (jaw) - 4-6 weeks
Matt Campbell (ankle) - 4-6 weeks
Aaron Black (groin) - 1 week
Brayden Norris (general soreness) - 1 week
FORM
Hawthorn: LWWW
North Melbourne: LLWL
SUMMARY
Richmond’s failure to win a game so far has seen the blowtorch applied to them well and truly, but whichever team loses this one is sure to come under some harsh scrutiny next week.
The Hawks had a tough run, losing to the Bulldogs, Geelong and Collingwood in recent weeks, but they need to start winning games - starting this week. Lance Franklin and Brad Sewell are set to return for this match, which gives Alastair Clarkson’s side a significant boost, but Franklin has hardly set the world on fire in his two matches so far and needs to step up a gear. He played a starring role in the corresponding match last year and needs to draw on that performance to get the best out of himself.
The Hawks had a tough run, losing to the Bulldogs, Geelong and Collingwood in recent weeks, but they need to start winning games - starting this week. Lance Franklin and Brad Sewell are set to return for this match, which gives Alastair Clarkson’s side a significant boost, but Franklin has hardly set the world on fire in his two matches so far and needs to step up a gear. He played a starring role in the corresponding match last year and needs to draw on that performance to get the best out of himself.
Brent Harvey is starting to show some form for North Melbourne, while Ryan Bastinac is enjoying a flawless debut season so far. But the positives are few and far between down at Arden St.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Not only does Brad Sewell bring hardness and athleticism to the Hawthorn midfield but he is also one of the true leaders of the team. His presence will inspire his teammates and the Hawks line-up seems so much more formidable with him in there.
Often criticised for his performance not matching his talent, Daniel Wells showed glimpses last week in the 40-point loss to the Sydney Swans but needs discover that elusive beast called consistency if he is to reach his peak as a footballer.
QUESTION MARKS
Who stops Lance Franklin? Buddy’s traditional North Melbourne opponent Josh Gibson is now a (sidelined) Hawk and North Melbourne needs to find the right match to curtail Franklin’s speed and strength. He hasn’t been in great form but North Melbourne has had troubles this year in matching up on key forwards. Scott Thompson may be the man for the job.
Can North Melbourne exploit the ruck situation? This is one area the Kangaroos are far superior to the Hawks. Hamish McIntosh, Todd Goldstein and if necessary, David Hale will be far too much for Brent Renouf to handle on his own. The Hawks on-ballers will have no choice but to hover around the blue socks at the ruck contests.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Neither side has done much to give the tipsters any faith but the Hawks get a pardon because of a tough three weeks. The returning Sewell and Franklin also add weight to their argument.
PREDICTION
Hawthorn by 28 points
Follow Stu Warren’s inside view of Hawthorn v North Melbourne at # #aflhawkskangas on Twitter.com from 1.10pm Saturday or @AFL_StuWarren
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
