Round 20
Adelaide v North Melbourne
Sunday, August 11, 2:50 pm (SA time)
AAMI Stadium

Ticketing and match day information here

Latest news
North name debutant
Draftee Taylor Garner will make his AFL debut against Adelaide on Sunday. The medium forward has played 11 games this season for North Ballarat, after being selected with the Kangaroos’ first pick (15) in the 2012 National Draft. Garner, who replaces omitted onballer Brad McKenzie, is the only change to the team that beat Geelong.

Out of action (estimates only)
Nathan Grima (back) – test
Cam Delaney (toe) – test
Andrew Swallow (Achilles) –season
Mason Wood (knee) – season
Tom Curran (foot) – season

North Melbourne’s recent form
Round 19, North Melbourne 15.6 (96) d Geelong 13.8 (86), Etihad Stadium
Round 18, North Melbourne 22.18 (150) d Melbourne 4.4 (28), Etihad Stadium
Round 17, Carlton 16.13 (109) d North Melbourne 16.12 (108), Etihad Stadium
Round 16, Brisbane Lions 18.9 (117) d North Melbourne 17.3 (105), Gabba
Round 15, North Melbourne 19.14 (128) d Richmond 8.18 (66), Etihad Stadium

Recent form against Adelaide
2013, Round Nine, Adelaide 18.17 (125) d North Melbourne 19.10 (124), Etihad Stadium
2012, Round 13, North Melbourne 17.19 (121) d Adelaide 13.11 (89), Etihad Stadium
2011, Round 11, North Melbourne 18.7 (115) d Adelaide 10.8 (68), Etihad Stadium
2010, Round Eight, North Melbourne 12.12 (84) d Adelaide 11.9 (75), Etihad Stadium
2009, Round 12, Adelaide 9.14 (68) d North Melbourne 3.6 (24), AAMI Stadium

Brownlow Medal votes from last meeting
N/A

Team
B: Lachie Hansen, Scott Thompson, Aaron Mullett
HB: Jamie Macmillan, Luke Delaney, Shaun Atley
C: Daniel Wells, Sam Gibson, Ryan Bastinac
HF: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Brent Harvey
F: Aaron Black, Robbie Tarrant, Leigh Adams
FOLL: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell
IC:: Ben Jacobs, Sam Wright, Taylor Hine, Taylor Garner

IN: Taylor Garner
OUT: Brad McKenzie (omitted)
 

Stats that matter
Since the mid-season bye, Rising Star nominee Brad Crouch has averaged more possessions (26.3) than any other Crow. Crouch’s total of 158 possessions ranks 16^th in the AFL in the past six rounds. His work rate has also been a feature; ranked 13^th in handball receives (70). He’s also averaged five tackles, four clearances and a goal assist in the last six rounds.

The Kangaroos are the best ball users in the League, with a disposal efficiency of 73.8 per cent. In contrast, Adelaide is 15^th (70.7 per cent).

The Crows have lost four games by a margin of 1-10 points this season. Only North Melbourne has lost more close matches (five).

The Roos have two of the top seven clearance players in the AFL: Ben Cunnington (No.4) and injured skipper Andrew Swallow (No.7). They also have kicked the 2^nd highest score from stoppages in 2013, behind only Hawthorn.

Last time these two teams met, Sam Kerridge earned a Rising Star nomination for his match-defining six-goal haul. Click the play button above to watch ‘Last Time We Met’

Three Crows kicked their first-ever goal for the Club against Port Adelaide. Luke Brown and Mitch Grigg slotted their maiden AFL goals and former Sydney Swan Lewis Johnston recorded his first in Adelaide colours.

According to Champion Data statistics, veteran Kangaroo Brent Harvey is the No.1 ranked forward in the competition this season, while Todd Goldstein is the best ruckman. Since the bye, North Melbourne tall Scott Thompson is also the No.1 ranked defender.

News Bites
North name debutant
Draftee Taylor Garner will make his AFL debut against Adelaide on Sunday. The medium forward has played 11 games this season for North Ballarat, after being selected with the Kangaroos’ first pick (15) in the 2012 National Draft. Garner, who replaces omitted onballer Brad McKenzie, is the only change to the team that beat Geelong.

Defensive duo in line for return
Nathan Grima and Cam Delaney could return to bolster North Melbourne’s defence against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Sunday. Delaney (toe) was a late withdrawal against Geelong last weekend, while Grima missed the Kangaroos’ spirited win with a back complaint. Both will face fitness tests during the week to determine their availability.

Not the end yet for Firrito: Scott – AFL.com.au
NORTH Melbourne faces an incredibly tough decision on Michael Firrito's future at the end of this season, but coach Brad Scott insists the club and veteran defender will make a mutual call on whether he plays on in 2014.

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