Sunday’s AFL 2018 Round 19 match is between North Melbourne Kangaroos and West Coast Eagles. The opening kick is set to commence at 13:10 local time with the game to be played at Blundstone Arena. The away team West Coast Eagles are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between North Melbourne Kangaroos and West Coast Eagles.
When: 13:10 | Sunday 29/07/2018
Where: Blundstone Arena
Preview:
For the struggling Kangaroos, the task at hand is simple, they must win.
I think they are nearly playing to capacity but just don’t have enough good players on their list.
The Eagles won over the Bulldogs without Nic Nat but they didn’t prove they could manage without him as the Bulldogs didn’t have a recognised ruckman.
KEY BATTLE: Josh Kennedy v Robbie Tarrant
Two of the best key forwards and backs in the game.
The Verdict
West Coast, who lead North Melbourne 8-4 since 2010, have too much firepower.
Unibet Odds:
North Melbourne Kangaroos at $2.04
West Coast Eagles at $1.80
Odds:
Tip: West Coast Eagles at $2.23
Value Bet: First Goal Scorer: Josh J Kennedy (WC) at $7.00
More Info:
Teams:
North Melbourne Kangaroos: 
B Majak Daw, Scott D. Thompson, Marley Williams
HB Jamie Macmillan, Robbie Tarrant, Sam Wright
C Luke McDonald, Paul Ahern, Trent Dumont
HF Jed Anderson, Jack Ziebell, Jy Simpkin
F Shaun Atley, Ben Brown, Kayne Turner
FOL Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Shaun Higgins
I/C Nathan Hrovat, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Ryan Clarke, Nick Larkey, Ben McKay, Will Walker, Mason Wood, Tom Murphy (Four to be omitted)
IN Nick Larkey, Ben McKay, Will Walker, Mason Wood, Tom Murphy
OUT Alex Morga
West Coast Eagles: 
B Shannon Hurn, Will Schofield, Brad Sheppard
HB Thomas Cole, Jeremy McGovern, Liam Duggan
C Jack Redden, Luke Shuey, Jamie Cripps
HF Chris Masten, Jack Darling, Mark Hutchings
F Mark LeCras, Josh J. Kennedy, Willie Rioli
FOL Scott Lycett, Elliot Yeo, Andrew Gaff
I/C Dom Sheed, Daniel Venables, Nathan Vardy, Jack Petruccelle, Jackson Nelson, Tom Barrass, Brendon Ah Chee, Jake Waterman (Four to be omitted)
IN Jack Petruccelle, Jackson Nelson, Tom Barrass, Brendon Ah Chee, Jake Waterman
OUT Lewis Jetta (Injured)
AFL News:
West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern hopes Scott Lycett and Andrew Gaff will re-sign with the AFL club, but he doesn’t think there’s much chance his brother will join them.
McGovern says he felt the pressure lift off his shoulders after signing a five-year contract extension with West Coast on Monday.
The deal is believed to be worth about $1.2 million a season, but McGovern could have earned more had he signed with cross-town rivals Fremantle or taken up a big-money offer in Melbourne.
Lycett and Gaff will become restricted free agents at the end of the season and the Eagles face a fight to retain the key duo.
Unlike McGovern, Lycett (South Australia) and Gaff (Victoria) aren’t West Australian, meaning the lure of family ties could convince them to leave the Eagles.
There are rumours that McGovern’s younger brother, Mitch McGovern, is considering leaving the Adelaide Crows.
Mitch is contracted with Adelaide until the end of 2020, but it remains to be seen whether he sees out that deal.
But Jeremy doesn’t think Mitch will leave the Crows early.
“Everyone’s carrying on that he doesn’t like it over there,” McGovern said.
“He hasn’t said anything to me about leaving or disliking the club.
“I don’t know where it’s come from. Obviously someone started something.
“He hasn’t been too homesick. He’s fit in pretty well over there in Adelaide and he’s pretty happy over there. I don’t see why he’d leave.”
The brothers would love to play together one day.
But Jeremy doesn’t think it will be in AFL ranks.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be possible,” McGovern said.
“We’re not going to try to manipulate anything or try to get to the same club or anything like that.
“If it happens, it happens, and it would be awesome.
“But post footy, we can always go back down to Albany and kick the footy down there together.”
McGovern said he never seriously considered joining the Dockers, stating his preference was always to stay at West Coast.
He hopes Lycett and Gaff will follow suit, but he also understands the temptation of “life-changing contracts”.
“They’re pretty crucial. I’d love to have them, they’re two good mates of mine,” McGovern said.
“But I’m not putting any extra pressure on them.
“I was lucky enough I had my family here. So that might be a big pull for them (wanting to return to family). But I’d like to think they’ve got a new family over here in us.”
Second-placed West Coast (13-4) will be back in action on Sunday when they take on North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena.
