Presenting all the information you need to know about Collingwood’s round 20 opponents – North Melbourne – ahead of their clash on Saturday evening at Etihad Stadium.

Recent form

After four consecutive losses, the Kangaroos returned to the winner’s list last week, upsetting Melbourne by four points at Blundstone Arena.

Returning to home soil, Tasmanian Ben Brown starred for North Melbourne, kicking four goals, while 19-year-old Jy Simpkin added two goals of his own.

The result extended North’s dominance over the Demons to 17-straight wins, while the loss may have a costly affect on Melbourne’s final hopes.

Midfielder Shaun Higgins led the home side with 28 disposals, five marks and one goal, while Andrew Swallow and Jack Ziebell had 27 and 26 disposals respectively.



North Melbourne celebrate a Luke McDonald goal against Melbourne. Image: AFL Photos.

Words from the coach

“It was a fantastic win, you know, we just had to fight really hard,” North Melbourne coach Brad Scott said post-game.

“We’ve got a big advantage playing down here (in Tasmania).

“They’re a good side and we had to really scrap hard to win and we have some adversity there at different stages of the ground and we needed guys to step up.”



Brad Scott addresses his players during a quarter-time break. Image: AFL Photos. 

Keep an eye on

In what has been a challenging season for the Kangaroos, Ben Brown has enjoyed a career-best year.

The forward was the difference for the Roos in their victory over the Demons last week, and his haul of four goals pushes him to a season total of 51 – only two behind the leagues leading goal kicker, Joe Daniher.

The 24-year-old is a difficult match-up for defenders, with his 200cm, 100kg frame complimented by his speed and athleticism.

Brown is averaging almost three goals a game, and is one of the most accurate goal kickers in the league.



Brown celebrates one of his four goals against the Demons in Tasmania. Image: AFL Photos. 

Injury list

Former Magpie Marley Williams won’t face his old teammates after he was ruled out for the remainder of 2017 with a back injury.

The Kangaroos have also confirmed Sam Wright will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury.

Forward Jarrad Waite will miss the next games, including Saturday’s clash against Collingwood, with a calf injury.

The club’s injury list took a further blow over the weekend after ruckman Braydon Preuss after hurting his back over the weekend.

North Melbourne’s injury list
Oscar Junker (broken tibia) – 1-2 weeks
Nick Larkey (knee) – test
Braydon Preuss (back) – test
Corey Wagner (ankle) 1-2 weeks
Jarrad Waite (calf) – 2 weeks
Mason Wood (calf) – 1-2 weeks
Jamie Macmillan (finger) – season
Paul Ahern (knee) – season
Mitch Hibberd (shoulder) – season
Ben Jacobs (lower leg) – season
Ed Vickers-Willis (PCL) – season
Declan Watson (knee) – season
Sam Wright (foot/ankle) – season
Marley Williams (back) - season



Marley Williams will not play again this season after suffering a back injury. Image: AFL Photos. 

In the mix

Saturday could mark the return to AFL action for North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein, who has spent the past fortnight building up his form in the VFL.

The ruckman could come back into the side to replace Preuss if his injury is more serious than first thought.

With North Melbourne down a forward – due to the injuries of Waite and Mason Wood – 19-year-old forward Nick Larkey come could back into the mix to face the Pies.

Small forward Lindsay Thomas is another that could push for a senior recall, after kicking four-goals for Werribee in the VFL over the weekend.



Veteran Roos Lindsay Thomas and Todd Goldstein are in the mix to face the Pies. Image: AFL Photos.

Key numbers

Head to head
Overall
North Melbourne - 51
Collingwood - 105
Draws - 2

At Etihad Stadium
North Melbourne - 5
Collingwood - 8

Largest crowds (during the H&A season)
72,932 – Round 23, 1994 at the MCG
72,216 – Round 9, 1994 at the MCG
66,719 – Round 14, 1995 at the MCG
65,628 – Round 1, 1985 at the MCG
58,369 – Round 11, 1998 at the MCG

North Melbourne’s recent form
Round 19 – North Melbourne (76) def Melbourne (72) at Blundstone Arena
Round 18 – North Melbourne (105) def by. Essendon (132) at Etihad Stadium
Round 17 – North Melbourne (57) def by Port Adelaide (127) at Adelaide Oval
Round 16 – North Melbourne (82) def by Fremantle (86) at Etihad Stadium
Round 15 – North Melbourne (99) def by Gold Coast (118) at Metricon Stadium

Last five times we’ve met
Round 18, 2016 – North Melbourne (124) def Collingwood (84) at Etihad Stadium
Round 9, 2015 – Collingwood (112) def North Melbourne (95) at the MCG
Round 5, 2014 – Collingwood (93) def North Melbourne (58) at the MCG
Round 23, 2013 – Collingwood (114) def by North Melbourne (125) at the MCG
Round 1, 2013 – North Melbourne (87) def by Collingwood (103) at Etihad Stadium