NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott called his players out after his side's disappointing 36-point loss to Adelaide, labelling their performances "terrible". Those strong words are likely to spur the Roos on this week as they try to stabilise their topsy-turvy form with a victory against Melbourne. The Demons are brimming with confidence following their nail-biting one-point victory over Essendon and will be out to take another top-eight scalp. If the Kangaroos are to be considered serious top-four challengers these are the games they should be looking to win with relative ease. However, under Paul Roos, Melbourne is no longer a pushover.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Sunday June 22, 4.40pm
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LAST FIVE TIMES
R18, 2013, North Melbourne 22.18 (150) d Melbourne 4.4 (28) at Etihad Stadium
R18, 2012, North Melbourne 19.13 (127) d Melbourne 11.7 (73) at Etihad Stadium
R8, 2011, North Melbourne 19.10 (124) d Melbourne 12.11 (83) at Etihad Stadium
R22, 2010, North Melbourne 17.11 (113) d Melbourne 15.13 (103) at MCG
R6, 2010, North Melbourne 15.14 (104) d Melbourne 12.6 (78) at Etihad Stadium
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THE SIX POINTS
1. North Melbourne's recent dominance of Melbourne has been profound, with the Kangaroos winning the past 10 contests between the sides.
2. Melbourne is the worst centre clearance team in the competition this season, averaging just 9.2 per game. The Kangaroos are ranked 14th with 11.7 a game.
3. The Kangaroos' inconsistency has hurt them, with the side averaging just 63 points per game this season. Melbourne, despite its obvious win-loss improvement, is last in the competition for points for (41.8 a game).
4. No team has taken the ball inside 50 less than Melbourne this season (41.8 per game). North Melbourne hasn’t fared much better, ranked 15th with 47.7 a game.
5. This will be just the second time the Kangaroos play at the MCG this season. It will also be the club's last before this year's finals series.
6. Injured Roo Daniel Wells averages a team-high 17.2 points in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade, when he plays against Melbourne. Veteran Demon (and former Bulldog) Daniel Cross averages 11.9 points against the Kangaroos.
Prediction: North Melbourne by 28 points
