Gold Coast v North Melbourne
Metricon Stadium – June 16 – 7:40PM
The Gold Coast Suns will host North Melbourne this Saturday night at Metricon Stadium.
Both teams come in to this match desperate for a win, with the Suns being win-less in 2012 and North falling by 115 points in their previous match against Hawthorn.
The only previous encounter between these two teams at Metricon Stadium occurred in the corresponding round last year, where North proved to be too strong for the Suns, running out 59-point winners.
North Melbourne will be desperately hoping for a similar result, as the club has come under heavy scrutiny both on and off the pitch after that debacle at Launceston.
Gold Coast has not been exempt from criticism either, currently languishing in last with many football pundits of the belief the club has gone backwards since it’s inaugural year.
Both North Melbourne and Gold Coast will be bolstered at the selection table.
North Melbourne forward livewire Lindsay Thomas has been selected for his 100th AFL game, while Gold Coast will welcome back their highly touted young ruckman Zac Smith in to their side to help bolster their tall stocks.
It is expected to be a perfect evening for football, which should see North’s handball based running game excel, hopefully providing a highly skilled game for spectators to watch.
Key Match Ups
Josh Caddy v Jack Ziebell
These two young players are highly rated young kids, especially in their contested games. Caddy firing will provide a huge boost for the Suns midfield and easing the reliance on Gary Ablett, while Jack Ziebell being allowed to dominant could spell doom for Gold Coast.
Drew Petrie v Matthew Warnock
North Melbourne is all likely hood will likely have their fair share of inside 50’s, it is therefore crucial that Matthew Warnock neutralises North’s main offensive target in Drew Petrie. Though Petrie has not reached the heights of his 2011 season, Gold Coast would not want to play with fire and give him the chance of igniting that spark.
Prediction: North by 34 points
Gold Coast Suns
B: Seb Tape, Matthew Warnock, Taylor Hine
HB: Sam Iles, Rory Thompson, Trent McKenzie
C: Michael Rischitelli, Karmichael Hunt, Joel Wilkinson
HF: Harley Bennell, Jared Brennan, Liam Patrick
F: Daniel Stanley, Sam Day, Luke Russell
Foll: Tom Hickey, Josh Caddy, Gary Ablett
I/C: Zac Smith, Campbell Brown, Brandon Matera, Kyal Horsley
Emg: Matt Shaw, Steven May, Alex Sexton
In: Zac Smith, Taylor Hine, Joel Wilkinson, Liam Patrick, Kyal Horsley
Out: Josh Toy, Matt Shaw, Alex Sexton, Aaron Hall, Andrew McQualter
North Melbourne
B: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
HB: Shaun Atley, Nathan Grima, Jamie Macmillan
C: Ryan Bastinac, Daniel Wells, Levi Greenwood
HF: Brent Harvey, Robert Tarrant, Leigh Adams
F: Aaron Black, Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas
Foll: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
I/C: Samuel Wright, Ben Cunnington, Kieran Harper, Sam Gibson
Emg: Matt Campbell, Cruize Garlett, Liam Anthony
In: Scott McMahon, Lindsay Thomas, Robert Tarrant, Sam Gibson
Out: Aaron Edwards, Cruize Garlett, Luke Delaney, Cameron Delaney
New: Sam Gibson (Box Hill Hawks)
