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North Melbourne vs Melbourne Tips - Demons to put the foot down in bid to chalk up their first win of 2025

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: 20 Mar 2025

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Adam Cusworth 20 Mar 2025

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Melbourne aims to rebound with Petracca & Oliver back.
North Melbourne struggles with defensive lapses but sees potential in Nick Larkey's performance.
Melbourne seeks a confidence boost against a porous Kangaroos defense.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Ed Langdon of the Demons kicks whilst being tackled by George Wardlaw of the Kangaroos during the round 15 AFL match between Melbourne Demons and North Melbourne Kangaroos at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on June 22, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

North Melbourne vs Melbourne Preview
Head to Head
North Melbourne Form Analysis
North Melbourne Team News
North Melbourne Team List
Melbourne Form Analysis
Melbourne Team News
Melbourne Team List

North Melbourne vs Melbourne Preview

Can Melbourne bounce back after going down in the dying stages against GWS at the MCG last weekend?

The Demons, with gun playmakers, Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, back in the fold, led late in the game before conceding a goal with a minute on the clock, going down by three.

They are looking to reverse a trend that saw them lose five of the last six matches of 2024, bowing out of finals contention.

North Melbourne will be out to build on their poor win-loss record from recent seasons in 2025 but let slip of a golden chance against an injury depleted Western Bulldogs outfit, going down by 16 points.

That came despite the efforts of Nick Larkey up forward with five goals. Defence remains an issue for Alistair Clarkson’s side and they leaked over 100 points last weekend.

In 2024, North Melbourne conceded more than three figures in 18 of their 23 matches. Melbourne aren’t renowned for their high scoring but this shapes as a bit of a confidence booster for the 2021 premiers.

Melbourne have won the past six matches against North Melbourne by an average margin of 40 points
Cam Zurhaar has booted 10 goals in his past three matches against Melbourne.
The Kangaroos conceeded 111 points per game in 2024, ranking last in the competition.
Clayton Oliver has averaged 32 disposals in his last three matches against the Roos

Head to Head

Melbourne have won the past six matches against North Melbourne by an average margin of 40 points. North Melbourne came close in Round 15 last season, holding the Demons scoreless in the last term, while booting five goals, only to fall short by three points.

Luke Davies Uniacke had 31 disposals for the Kangaroos in that match, while Cam Zurhaar booted four goals. Jack Viney had 25 disposals for the winners, while Daniel Turner was their only multiple goalkicker.

Clayton Oliver was absent that night and has averaged 32 disposals in his last three matches against the Roos. Christian Petracca has averaged 31, while Davies Uniacke has averaged 28. Zurhaar has booted 10 goals in his past three matches against Melbourne.

North Melbourne Form Analysis

The Kangaroos have gone 3-20 with their win-loss record in the past two seasons. 13 of their 20 losses were by 39.5+ in 2024. Their last two were by 96 and 124. Defence was a massive concern and they conceded 111 points per game, ranking last in the competition.

Scoring was slightly better, ranking just ahead of West Coast and Richmond. Nick Larkey has kicked 23 goals in his last 10 matches, ranking 3rd behind Jeremy Cameron and Jesse Hogan.

North Melbourne Team News

The Kangas will be without Griffin Logue (hamstring) for at least Sunday's game against the Demons, but Charlie Comben (foot) could still play. Wil Dawson, who impressed over the summer, is a chance to come in, while draftee Matt Whitlock could make his AFL debut after a strong VFL performance. Toby Pink and Kallan Dawson are also in contention for senior selection. Zane Duursma and Zac Fisher may be considered, while father-son recruit Cooper Harvey kicked six goals in a VFL practice match over the weekend.

North Melbourne Team List

Melbourne Form Analysis

Melbourne bombed out in the latter stages of 2024, effectively putting up the white flag after injuries took their toll, with Petracca and Oliver missing. They lost five of their last six. Three of those were by over 39.5 points, while two were under a goal.

Scoring has been a concern, ranking 12th in their past 10 matches and averaging just 78 points per game last season. The floodgates could open, however, against a leaky North Melbourne defence.

Melbourne Team News

Steven May was a late withdrawal against the Giants on Sunday due to a fractured larynx sustained in training last week. He is expected to miss. Tom McDonald replaced May and is expected to keep his spot. Caleb Windsor is dealing with a foot infection and is uncertain for the Roos match. Young forward Daniel Turner, who missed the Giants game due to illness, is the likely replacement for the suspended Aidan Johnson, who received a one-game ban for rough conduct. Johnson was one of six Demons debutants in round one, with Matt Jefferson, Xavier Lindsay, Harry Sharp, Jack Henderson, and Harvey Langford (who started as the sub) all impressing enough to retain their spots.

Melbourne Team List

Verdict

North Melbourne v Melbourne

Melbourne to pick up confidence booster, Cam Zurhaar to provide some resistance up forward for North Melbourne

Melbourne -22.5

Handicap +22/5

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