SUMMARY
The Kangaroos' quest for a 10-0 start to the season takes them to Sydney on the Friday night stage they dominated in the 90's, and they return to the harbour city for the first time since they ended the Swans' finals campaign last year. The home side was missing Lance Franklin, Luke Parker, Kieren Jack and Sam Reid on that night, and while Reid hasn't been seen this season due to injury, the other three have been outstanding. Scott Thompson is likely to get first crack at Franklin, but Robbie Tarrant is also in great touch of late and has the speed and athleticism to go with the Swans star if need be. The midfield battle between North's Jack Ziebell, Nick Dal Santo and Ben Cunnington, and Swans stars Parker, Josh Kennedy and Dan Hannebery is just about worth the price of a ticket alone.
WHERE AND WHEN: SCG, Friday, May 27, 7.50pm AEST
LAST FIVE TIMES
1SF, 2015, North Melbourne 11.11 (77) d Sydney Swans 7.9 (51) at ANZ Stadium
R11, 2015, Sydney Swans 14.7 (91) d North Melbourne 10.15 (75) at Etihad Stadium
1PF, 2014, Sydney Swans 19.22 (136) d North Melbourne 9.11 (65) at ANZ Stadium
R4, 2014, North Melbourne 13.13 (91) d Sydney Swans 6.12 (48) at the SCG
R3, 2013, Sydney Swans 20.11 (131) d North Melbourne 13.14 (92) at Blundstone Arena
THE SIX POINTS
1. Not much separated the sides the last time they met in last year's semi-final at ANZ Stadium; North won the disposal count 358-335 and the inside 50s 51-48; but the Swans took more marks with 95-76 and laid more tackles with 76-61.
2. Despite the most recent result, the Swans have dominated North Melbourne recently, winning eight of the past 10 contests. The Kangaroos haven't won consecutive games against the Swans since 2004-05.
3. The Swans are the No.1 contested possession side in 2016, averaging 163 per game, compared to North Melbourne who are ranked eighth with an average of 145.8.
4. The teams have played 27 times at the SCG with the visitors winning 15 of those contests, but the Swans have won eight of the past 10 at the venue.
5. North Melbourne's tall forwards have been brilliant so far this season, with Jarrad Waite, Ben Brown and Drew Petrie combining for 57 goals.
6. Roos ruckman Todd Goldstein jumped up one spot to No.3 in the Schick AFL Player Ratings after dominating Carlton last week with 45 hit outs and three goals.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Todd Goldstein
The ruckman had his way with the injury-hit Blues last week but he faces a much tougher test on Friday night against in-form Swans duo Kurt Tippett and Callum Sinclair. Both men have the athleticism to match Goldstein around the ground and if they can tag-team last year's All Australian, the Swans midfield might just take control of the game. If Goldstein can get on top, North's runners might just give their powerful forwards enough supply to cause havoc.
AFL.com.au PREDICTION: Sydney Swans by 27 points.
