We'll endeavour to run through the form, incorporate appropriate stats and also supply a betting prediction which won't always just be who will win.
NORTH MELBOURNE v ST KILDA
Sunday 7 May @ Marvel Stadium
The round ends with two sides who use this venue as home but are going in differing directions.
While North is having a real run of poor results, the Saints are highly competitive against the best of opponents.
North Melbourne has hit more hurdles than what we saw at Warrnambool this week. Big losses, poor contested moments and little positive things to take from them.
They need every bit of their best players on the park. Losing Davies-Uniacke through the week and McKay is only now getting to match fitness, they require all hands on that sinking deck.
Clarkson can't get out there and play for them nor recruit his Premiership manner to be instilled in such a small way.
Once again Harry Sheezel is topping their disposal counts. To be playing in such a poor team and doing this is a credit to him. Maybe even more so than the others who would lead Rising Star thoughts.
But meeting a renowned defensive coach with a renowned defensive style, you'd doubt those who would logically beat you, will be allowed to do so.
And while defeated at home to Port, they were hardly terrible. Sure losing a nice lead is not great but things were still in flux late in the last.
They are desperate for Max King now. Their methods have been so admiral to this time but getting that focal point is necessary.
The small forwards can't keep being required to kick a score and the defence will eventually succumb to more than the 12 goals last weekend.
That is not to be critical but just to suggest reality strikes at times of a season. However that won't be happening here – well not to the extent of a loss.
St Kilda has not been a top team for some time so the stats can be spurious but North has been OK against the Saints in the last decade.
You wonder what reality that is though in 2023. St Kilda is desperate and North is learning. That seems like a gaping hole.
Watch Bradley Hill run around with a lot of the ball and kick one.
Match Selection: St Kilda by 35 points
Suggested Bets: Bradley Hill 20+ disposal/1+ goal @ $3.60
