North want an AFL fortress at Bellerive

North Melbourne want an AFL fortress and no hint of a tank.

They are keen to make their second home at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval as inhospitable as possible for Melbourne on Saturday.

The Kangaroos are second-last with only four wins and have lost their last seven matches.

North have not lost eight in a row since 1984.

Their run of losses and management of players has led to speculation they are tanking – finishing as low as possible to maximise draft picks.

Coach Brad Scott said the suggestion was laughable and they have certainly boosted their side for Saturday, regaining captain Jack Ziebell and best and fairest winner Robbie Tarrant.

Braydon Preuss also returns to help Majak Daw in the ruck.

Assistant coach Leigh Tudor says the Kangaroos are determined to make the most of their Hobart deal.

“We’re pretty relaxed down there and we’re trying to make that into our own little fortress,” Tudor told AAP.

“I know Melbourne went down there last year, but a lot of teams don’t get to go there and play.

“If we can kick a couple early and get on the front foot, we have tremendous support down there.

“It is a key to start well.”

Melbourne’s only visit to Bellerive in round three last year was a game of massive momentum swings, thanks to the strong breeze blowing down the ground.

North eventually won by five points after a titanic ruck duel between their star Todd Goldstein and the Demons’ Max Gawn.

Goldstein remains out of the senior team because of form, while this time Gawn and defender Neville Jetta were named in an unchanged side despite ankle injuries.

While North only have four wins, five of their losses have been by a goal or less.

It’s been one of those seasons. Last week they kicked more than 100 points, but Essendon overran them in the final quarter.

North are only the sixth team this season to kick the ton but lose.

Indeed, they boast the AFL’s eighth-most potent attack.

That is due in no small part to key forward Ben Brown, who has starred with 47 goals.

He is only three goals behind Coleman Medal leader Lance Franklin and continues to establish himself as one of the AFL’s top key forwards.

“He has been a highlight – he’s a great role model for the whole club,” Tudor said.

“I’m just there to help him, he’s self-motivated.

“He’s a self-driven bloke and he makes my job very easy.

“He’s the sort of bloke you want to coach.”

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