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North Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs highlights: AFL live scores, blog

29th April, 2016
Bounce: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: Ethiad Stadium
TV: Live, Channel Seven, Fox Footy
Last meeting: Western Bulldogs 96-73 North Melbourne, Round 22, 2015
Betting: North Melbourne $1.85, Western Bulldogs $1.95

North Melbourne
B Michael Firrito, Robbie Tarrant, Luke McDonald
HB Sam Wright, Scott D. Thompson, Shaun Atley
C Sam Gibson, Daniel Wells, Nick Dal Santo
HF Ben Brown, Jarrad Waite, Lindsay Thomas
F Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Shaun Higgins
FOL Todd Goldstein, Ben Jacobs, Jack Ziebell
I/C Andrew Swallow, Ben Cunnington, Jamie Macmillan, Kayne Turner

Western Bulldogs
B Matthew Boyd, Marcus Adams, Dale Morris
HB Jed Adcock, Easton Wood, Shane Biggs
C Lachie Hunter, Tom Liberatore, Tory Dickson
HF Liam Picken, Tom Campbell, Koby Stevens
F Luke Dahlhaus, Jake Stringer, Toby McLean
FOL Jordan Roughead, Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli
I/C Mitch Wallis, Fletcher Roberts, Bailey Dale, Lin Jong
Drew Petrie dropped? Not even for a second (AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Roar Guru
29th April, 2016
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In the top-of-the-table clash, the North Melbourne Kangaroos take on the Western Bulldogs at Ethiad Stadium. Join The Roar for all the Friday night football action from 7:50pm (AEST).

North Melbourne enter Round 6 as the only unbeaten side. However, apart from the Gold Coast, there are no other teams they have beaten this year that are currently in the top eight.

The Western Bulldogs are second on the ladder, with their only loss being to Hawthorn by under a goal.

Similar to North Melbourne, the Dogs’ draw for the start to the season has been kind, with none of the sides they have faced currently in the eight.

The Roos come into the game with an unchanged line up, Mason Wood and Lachie Hanson unable to force their way into the side. Wood could consider himself unlikely after being a late exclusion due to the conditions in the Gold Coast last week.

The Bulldogs’ injuries to defenders continue, with new recruit Matthew Suckling out with an ankle injury. He joins Rob Murphy and Jason Johannisen on the injured list. First-round draft pick from 2011 Fletcher Roberts has been recalled to replace Suckling.

The Bulldogs are ranked first in both the contested and uncontested possession differentials in the league, and against the Lions Koby Stevens, Matthew Boyd, Lachie Hunter and Mitch Wallis all had more than 30 possessions.

North rank second in the contested and uncontested possession differential, with Nick Dal Santo best afield last week against the Gold Coast, with 28 possessions.

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North’s three tall forwards – Drew Petrie, Jarrad Waite and Ben Brown – are working well, with 37 goals between them already this season.

It is a mouth-watering clash that promises to rival last week’s Friday night clash between Hawthorn and Adelaide.

Prediction
The bookmakers have North Melbourne as slight favourites, and with Todd Goldstein and their three key forwards firing, they’ll be too good for the Bulldogs.

North Melbourne by 12 points.

Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) as we bring you all the action.

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