Melbourne registered an all-to-rare win over the Western Bulldogs back in round 14 and in their three games since, and despite losing each of them, they’ve put in competitive efforts against Sydney (116 – 85) and last week in Darwin, Brisbane (94 – 75), particularly.

Their record against North though, like it is against most teams unfortunately, is a poor one with their last victory over the Kangas coming in Round 20, 2006 – ten matches ago now.

They’re showing some better signs of late but will more than likely struggle to win here.

North, well, North did it again last week!

The missed a few golden opportunities late and lost by a point to Carlton. It was the fifth time this season that North have lost byless than a kick.

This followed a capitulation at the Gabba where, despite leading by 32 points on three occasions during the match, they were overrun late by Brisbane.

It’s fair to say North are in a fragile state of mind and need a massive win to rid themselves of their demons this season.

They get their opportunity to do that here against Melbourne and keep whatever hopes they have now of making the finals, alive.

Odds comparison by AFL Odds:

Melbourne Demons	12.00	15.00	14.00	15.00	12.00	12.00
North Melbourne Kangaroos	1.03	1.01	1.02	1.01	1.03	1.04

Teams:

Melbourne Demons:

2 Nathan Jones
4 Jack Watts
5Jimmy Toumpas (INT)
6 Chris Dawes
7 Jack Viney
8 James Frawley
9 Jack Trengove
10 Shannon Byrnes
12 Colin Sylvia
14 Lynden Dunn
17 Sam Blease (INT)
21 Cameron Pedersen
25 Tom McDonald
26 Daniel Nicholson (EMG)
31 Jack Grimes
34 Dean Kent (INT)
35 Luke Tapscott (EMG)
36 Aaron Davey
37 Max Gawn
38 Jeremy Howe
42 Jake Spencer (EMG)
45 Matt Jones (INT)
46 Dean Terlich
48 Jack Fitzpatrick
50 Mitchell Clisby

In: Cameron Pedersen,
Out: Colin Garland (Ankle)

North Melbourne Kangaroos:

2 Brad McKenzie (INT)
3 Ryan Bastinac (INT)
5 Ben Jacobs (EMG)
6 Lachlan Hansen
7 Jack Ziebell
8 Daniel Wells
9 Andrew Swallow
10 Ben Cunnington
12 Lindsay Thomas
13Leigh Adams (INT)
15 Luke Delaney (EMG)
16 Scott D. Thompson
17 Nathan Grima
18 Shaun Atley
19 Sam Wright (EMG)
20 Drew Petrie
22 Todd Goldstein
25 Robbie Tarrant
26 Taylor Hine
29 Brent Harvey
31 Cameron Delaney
34 Jamie Macmillan (INT)
35 Aaron Black
41 Aaron Mullett
43 Sam Gibson

In: Cameron Delaney
Out: Scott McMahon (Omitted)