SUMMARY
The last game of the round could also be one of the most interesting. North Melbourne and Sydney entered round seven with a combined one win from 12 chances this year, but recorded respective emphatic wins over Adelaide and the Brisbane Lions. Only the Swans' rich recent history has stopped pundits completely writing them off, but they must defeat the Roos if they expect to mount a finals run. The two sides rode key forwards (Lance Franklin and Jarrad Waite) to victory last week, but only Sydney can expect a repeat performance, with Waite out again through suspension. That leaves the responsibility back on Ben Brown, who has proven up to the task. How well Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell, Shaun Higgins and co. stack up with the Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery-led Swans onball brigade will be crucial to the result.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday, May 14, 4.40pm AEST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R22, 2016, Sydney 12.13 (85) d North Melbourne 10.16 (76) at Blundstone Arena
R10, 2016, Sydney 14.7 (91) d North Melbourne 9.11 (65) at the SCG
1SF, 2015, North Melbourne 11.11 (77) d Sydney 7.9 (51) at ANZ Stadium
R11, 2015, Sydney 14.7 (91) d North Melbourne 10.15 (75) at Etihad Stadium
1PF, 2014, Sydney 19.22 (136) d North Melbourne 9.11 (65) at ANZ Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. North Melbourne pushed Sydney all the way when they last met. The Swans led by only 12 points at half-time and eight at the final change before winning by nine. Dan Hannebery was the difference between the sides, with 33 disposals, two goals and three Brownlow votes.
2. The Kangaroos are searching for three consecutive wins for the first time since rounds seven to nine last year. They’ll also be looking for three 100-point-plus scores in a row for the first time since rounds three to five last season.
3. The Swans have dominated North in recent seasons, winning four of the last five contests and 10 of the last 12. The Kangaroos' only two wins since 2009 were in 2014 and 2015.
4. Despite their 2-5 start, the Kangaroos are still averaging 95 points per game and kicked 100-plus points in the last two games. Sydney kicked 100 points for the first time this season last week against the Brisbane Lions.
5. Not in North Melbourne’s favour is its record against Sydney at Etihad Stadium – five contests for one win (in 2007). The Swans have won the last three.
6. Swans hard man Zak Jones is on a steep climb in the AFL Player Ratings, improving 123 spots since the end of last year to a personal best of 234th.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Ben Cunnington.
North's 2014 best and fairest winner has been brilliant at times this year, as he was last week. But Cunnington is just a fortnight separated from an opening half where he won a single disposal in his 150th game and was opposed to Gary Ablett. Cunnington's strength is his inside work, and coach Brad Scott will bank on his ability to get the Roos moving in the right direction against Sydney's decorated midfield crew.
AFL.com.au PREDICTION: Sydney by 12 points.
