North Melbourne is looking to turn its impressive recent run of form into a long-awaited win when the side takes on Greater Western Sydney in Tasmania.
The Kangaroos (2-10, 68.5%) have lost two of their last three matches by a combined nine points, in an impressive form spike under caretaker coach Brett Ratten.
The Giants (4-8, 88%) came desperately close to defeating Richmond before ultimately losing by a goal.
Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
‘The Texas ten!’ Taylor’s 250th massacre | 01:26
The subs were Aidan Corr for North Melbourne and Harry Rowston for GWS.
This match gets underway at 3:20pm AEST from Blundstone Arena.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (Channel 504) from 3pm AEST.
QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT
It was a nightmare start for Giant Harry Perryman after he copped a “stiff” penalty for running to far.
Perryman was attempting to exit his back half when he was penalised – gifting Phoenix Spicer the first goal of the match.
“Perryman rightly a little bit annoyed. They generally give you about 20 metres and he’s taken it 15 to 18,” commentator Dwayne Russell said.
“I counted 15 with a couple of stutter steps in there,” Dermott Brereton added.
George Wardlaw then extended North Melbourne’s lead a short time later with a brilliant snap, leading Russell to claim the Giants attack end was “getting rigor mortis”.
Jake Riccardi was unlucky not to have a shot on goal when he copped a “facial massage” from opponent Griffin Logue just 15m out – but the moment when unnoticed.
But he made no mistake after his big grab to narrow North’s lead to just six points.
Two goals to Callum Brown and a ripper from Toby Bedford ensured it was the Giants who took the lead into the first change 27 to 16.
Follow North Melbourne vs GWS Giants in the live blog below!