BigFooty Forum

(graphic courtesy of lmach)

Last time they met
West Coast 12.14 (86) def North Melbourne 13.6 (84), Round 15, 2012 at Bellrive Oval, Hobart

Perth weather forecast
Mostly sunny. Moderate north to northeasterly winds, shifting west to northwest
in the afternoon.
Max 29˚
This week's guernsey


Named teams & Umpiring Appointments

Late Changes: No Late Changes
Substitutes: West Coast: Jacob MoJu Brennan North Melb: Kieran Harper

Key Players
West Coast
1. Scott Selwood - Had a fantastic game and a welcome return to form against Hawthorn at the G last Friday night. Racked up 35 possessions in a losing side. Will need him to be at his very best at the clearances to provide forward targets with frequent service. The Eagles managed to claw themselves, somewhat, back into the contest, in part, due to Scooter's resliance.
2. Andrew Embley - Look to Embley to provide that hardened finals experience that every side hoping to penetrate deep into the month of September requires. The 2006 Norm Smith medallist knows how to play a final, the intensity required and can provide a lift for his less experienced team mates.
3. Luke Shuey - Out to atone for a less than impressive September in 2011, self admitted. He is in form and can provide the leg speed from the middle which will be crucial to breaking the Roos open through the midfield.

North Melbourne
1. Todd Goldstein - With the absence of Hamish McIntosh, the ruck duties fall primarily to this man. Will be up against the twin strikeforce of the Eagles in Cox and Naitanui and will need to work hard all day to provide the Roos' midfield with ammunition. Was serviceable against GWS in round 23, but will need to lift considerably today.
2. Sam Gibson - Was solid against GWS last week when most of the North side looked to have caught the inaccuracy disease. Promoted rookie earlier in the season has taken his chance and relishing playing at the game's highest level. Eagles will need to pay particular attention to him.
3. Drew Petrie - History suggests high profile forwards from the East very rarely have a day out at 'the house of pain'. Can Petrie kick a bag? It's not beyond him, but expect Worsfold to have done his homework and look to remove his influence inside North's forward 50.

Summary
In Hobart, back in round 15 North jumped out to a 35 point lead at one stage before the one-man show of Dean Cox (and his offsiders) clawed back the margin to win by 2 points.
We all know though, that this is September and especially in an Elimination final, previous games in the home and away season count for very little.

The Eagles have some injury concerns, Kennedy possibly reinjuring the ankle, Eric MacKenzie returning from a hamstring injury, along with Lecras, Nicoski and Sheppard who are all on ice until 2013. That said, North Melbourne have concerns of their own, with Grima and Wells missing from last week's side in anticipation of the finals fixtures.

Goldstein will be up against it all day but if the Roos midfield can shark some of the Eagles ruck taps then they may set themselves up to silence the usually hostile home crowd and sneak an upset. As fairytale as that would be for the men from Arden Street, it's at long odds to happen.
The Eagles should be too strong at home, with the long break and with some decent form coming into the game and should win comfortably.

Verdict
West Coast by 23 points.