The fourth game of Saturday’s AFL Round 23 matches is between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Melbourne Demons. The game is set to commence at 7:40 PM local time with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. Home team North Melbourne Kangaroos go into the match as the favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Melbourne Demons.
Round: Round 23 , August 30, 2014 , 7:40 PM
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 20° Sunny.
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Preview:
WITH a home elimination final all but stitched up, there appears little at stake for North Melbourne this Saturday night. But Kangaroos vice-captain Jack Ziebell said this week his team had a few problem areas it had to address ahead of the finals and would use the clash against the Demons to fine-tune them. North midfielder Daniel Wells, in particular, will be keen to find some fitness and form after his injury-plagued season. The Demons will be desperate to finish 2014 on a positive note after their form has fallen away badly in recent weeks. But after nine consecutive losses they would have to pull off a major upset to topple the Roos.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R14, 2014, North Melbourne 15.17 (107) d Melbourne 10.6 (66) at the MCG
R18, 2013, North Melbourne 22.18 (150) d Melbourne 4.4 (28) at Etihad Stadium
R18, 2012, North Melbourne 19.13 (127) d Melbourne 11.7 (73) at Etihad Stadium
R8, 2011, North Melbourne 19.10 (124) d Melbourne 12.11 (83) at Etihad Stadium
R22, 2010, North Melbourne 17.11 (113) d Melbourne 15.13 (103) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. When the teams met in round 14 this year, North led disposals 389-358, marks 126-89, tackles 66-58 and inside 50s 52-40.
2. Melbourne is on track for its lowest-scoring season since 1920, when it matched its 2014 average of 59 points a game.
3. The Kangaroos are ranked second in the AFL for disposal efficiency at 74 per cent, with Melbourne ranked equal third at 73.8 per cent.
4. North Melbourne has won the past 12 contests between the sides, with Melbourne’s last win over the Roos coming in round 20, 2006.
5. Melbourne has lost its past 19 games at Etihad Stadium, with its last win at the Docklands venue coming in round 19, 2007, against the Western Bulldogs. The Demons have lost all seven of their games against North at Etihad by an average margin of 53 points.
6. Todd Goldstein averages more player ratings points against Melbourne than any other team (15.8 points a game). The North ruckman is ranked 20th overall in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade.
Teams:
NORTH MELBOURNE 
B Lachlan Hansen, Scott D. Thompson, Jamie Macmillan.
HB Shaun Atley, Nathan Grima, Sam Wright.
C Nick Dal Santo, Andrew Swallow, Ben Jacobs.
HF Kayne Turner, Ben Brown, Daniel Wells
F Mason Wood, Drew Petrie, Aaron Black
Fol Daniel Currie, Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell.
I/C Leigh Adams, Ryan Bastinac, Aaron Mullett, Sam Gibson.
Emg Brad McKenzie, Trent Dumont, Scott McMahon
In Lachlan Hansen, Jamie Macmillan, Daniel Wells, Mason Wood, Daniel Currie.
Out Todd Goldstein (soreness), Levi Greenwood (calf), Luke McDonald (back), Lindsay Thomas (knee), Michael Firrito (soreness).
MELBOURNE 
B Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Neville Jetta.
HB Jeremy Howe, Tom McDonald, Bernie Vince.
C Jordie McKenzie, Daniel Cross, Rohan Bail.
HF Viv Michie, Max Gawn, Christian Salem.
F Jack Fitzpatrick, Chris Dawes, Dean Kent
Fol Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson
I/C Matt Jones, Jack Watts, Aidan Riley, Jack Viney.
Emg Cameron Pedersen, Daniel Nicholson, Dom Barry
In Jordie McKenzie, Aidan Riley.
Out Cameron Pedersen (omitted), Colin Garland (knee).
