TV: Fox Sports
MATCH NOTES:
-The Demons have not won at Etihad Stadium since 2007
- North Melbourne are locked in sixth position on the ladder while Melbourne’s long lost dream for a finals spot is officially dead 17th, but we knew that by round one
- Melbourne have only won four games the entire season compared to North Melbourne’s 13 wins
- North Melbourne have won their last five games against Melbourne
- Brad Scott’s decision to move midfielders Ben Cunnington and Jack Ziebell forward has worked lately and will prove useful should the Roos be required to fill similar roles in September
- Brent Harvey will be missing from the North Melbourne side after copping a three match suspension for serious misconduct against Bulldog Liam Picken
KEY INJURIES:
NORTH MELBOURNE
Tom Curran Foot Test
Lachlan Hansen Hip Test
Robin Nahas Shoulder Test
Majak Daw Foot Season
Cameron Delaney Toe Season
Taylor Garner Hamstring Season
Robbie Tarrant Tibia Season
MELBOURNE
Shannon Byrnes Foot Retired
Jayden Hunt Back Season
Jake Spencer Ankle Season
Jack Trengove Foot Season
Jack Grimes Hamstring Season
Colin Garland Knee TBC
LAST FIVE GAMES:
NORTH MELBOURNE
L 23 Carlton
L 32 Geelong
W 75 GWS
W 50 Western Bulldogs
W 7 Adelaide
MELBOURNE
L 3 Port Adelaide
L 23 Brisbane Lions
L 50 Hawthorn
L 64 GWS
L 66 West Coat
FINAL WORD
Expect a solid win from the Roos over Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. They have nothing to lose — locked in sixth spot — ahead of an elimination final next week. Brad Scott will surely be demanding a dedicated four-quarter effort from his team after some serious inconsistencies through the year, especially against lower-ranked sides like Brisbane and Carlton. The Demons season is well and truly done. The last six weeks has been an effort for the club and Paul Roos has a list of weary players who urgently need a break. With no expectations, we could see the Demons play with a little more freedom. A few Demons may be calling it a day after this while James Frawley’s post-game emotions should tell all about his likelihood of staying on with the club. Even if the Demons had won more than four games this season, we should remember, the game is at Etihad, so there was never a chance. North Melbourne by 55.