Sunday twilight footy opens its account for season 2013 with an intriguing clash between North Melbourne and Collingwood. Stay on this page for live scores and commentary on the big game from 4.40pm AEDT.
Both teams will be entering this clash with a foul taste in their mouths after bitter final defeats last season.
A solid NAB cup for both teams has them brimming with confidence ahead of their opening encounter, and both were only a win away from a NAB Cup final berth.
The Magpies will welcome in three new faces to their side this Sunday which include two free agent signings who are Quinten Lynch and Jordan Russell.
Former Port Melbourne star Sam Dwyer will also make his AFL debut at the age of 26 years old after an eight-year VFL career.
As for North Melbourne, former Port Adelaide defender Ben Jacobs is the only new addition to wear the blue and white stripes.
With veteran Brent Harvey and defender Scott McMahon missing the game due to separate suspensions it is up to the young Roos to step up and leave their mark.
Meanwhile the Pies are hurting on the injury front with players such as Luke Ball, Alan Didak, Dale Thomas, Andrew Krakouer and Alex Fasolo all missing through injury.
Both teams will be aiming to improve on their final standings from last season with expectations of top four being realistic.
The stats show this game will be a battle of the handball against the kick. Collingwood was ranked first in the competition for kicks last season whilst North Melbourne ranked fourth in handballs.
Collingwood should dominate in the contested possession stakes as they ranked 3rd last season whilst North Melbourne were 13th in the competition.
If North Melbourne can continue their impressive inside 50, disposal efficiency and centre clearance numbers from last year from last season they should be a great show here.
With all the players Collingwood are missing today I would expect North Melbourne to have the class to defeat the black and white.
Floreat Pica
Guest
Dont disagree it was a cheap shot, yet again Thomas acted up on it like he'd been king hit. Same as his first goal. Stager, sniper and pansy.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Nah, gotta call rubbish on that one, Harry O was patently going after Thomas. It was a regulation cheap shot.
Floreat Pica
Guest
Another staged hit from Thomas- just like his first free kick.
Brodie
Roar Guru
Haha talk about being a sore loser ;-)
Brodie
Roar Guru
Only one game left for Round one which is of course is the big one, Hawthorn vs Geelong. Stay tuned to The Roar to follow our great coverage tomorrow. Hope you all enjoyed our coverage of Collingwood's stern victory over North Melbourne whilst eating as many chocolates you can! Until next time Twitter - @BrodieChivers
Brodie
Roar Guru
LEADING PLAYER STATS GOALS NM: 4 - Thomas, 2 - Hansen, 1 - Bastinac, Cunnington, Tarrant, Gibson, Godstein, Mullett, Petrie COLL: 4 - Cloke, 3 - Sidebottom, 2 - Lynch, Goldsack, 1 - Swan, Pendlebury, Blair, Macaffer DISPOSALS NM: Swallow 34, Wells 25, Cunnington 23 COLL: Swan 31, Pendlebury 30, O'Brien 24 TACKLES NM: Swallow 9, Harper 7, Ziebell 5 COLL: Sinclair 8, Blair 7
Brodie
Roar Guru
TEAM STATS DISPOSALS NM: 353 COLL: 326 CONTESTED POSSESIONS NM: 137 COLL: 143 MARKS NM: 73 (7 CONTESTED) COLL: 92 (15 CONTESTED) TACKLES NM: 39 COLL: 59 CLEARANCES NM: 43 COLL: 32 HIT OUTS NM: 44 COLL: 26
JOHN R GRIFFITHS
Guest
I TOLD U ALL SO,,,PIES ALWAYS BETTER THEN THE ROOS,,,FOR MORE THEN 100 YEARS,,,ROOS BRING BACK THE OLD KING, IF YOU WANT VICTORY EVER AGAIN...
Brodie
Roar Guru
Scott Pendlebury has won the Jason McCartney Medal. Pendles had 30 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 8 clearances, 5 I50 and also a goal.
Brodie
Roar Guru
Well the undermanned Pies have done it. What a great game which was just hung onto by Collingwood. The big third quarter set the game up for the Pies as they proved too strong.
Roddy
Guest
Damn
Brodie
Roar Guru
FINAL COLLINGWOOD - 15.13.103 DEFEAT NORTH MELBOURNE - 13.9.87
Brodie
Roar Guru
4th Quarter – 0.50 remaining North Melbourne – 13.9.87 Collingwood – 15.13.103 Swan goes to Goldsack, who goes to Harry O. Brown goes down to Brent Macaffer who MARKS! Straight in front he GOALS!!!! Ball game. Pie fans thank Dane Swan.
Brodie
Roar Guru
4th Quarter – 1.55 remaining North Melbourne – 13.9.87 Collingwood – 14.13.97 North kicks forward..... SWAN. He takes the great mark and surely, surely this will be it for North.
Brodie
Roar Guru
4th Quarter – 2.30 remaining North Melbourne – 13.9.87 Collingwood – 14.13.97 Roos get the rebound and kick another point. Key Pies are sitting on the bench.
Brodie
Roar Guru
4th Quarter – 3.00 remaining North Melbourne – 13.8.86 Collingwood – 14.13.97 Leigh Adams kicks inside 50 from the wing. Harry O'Brien the only man who keep his feet. Passes to Toovey who is taken high inside North's 50.
Roddy
Guest
OMG yes !!!
Brodie
Roar Guru
4th Quarter – 4.00 remaining North Melbourne – 13.8.86 Collingwood – 14.13.97 The Roos turn it over from the kick out and belt it back inside 50 and PETRIE MARKS!!! 15 out Petrie GOALS!!!!! Four minutes left to get two goals for the Roos.
Brodie
Roar Guru
4th Quarter – 5.00 remaining North Melbourne – 12.8.80 Collingwood – 14.13.97 Petrie wins a free kick from a ball kicked inside 50!!!!!!! High contact indeed! He lines up from 40 out....... Out on the full.
Brodie
Roar Guru
4th Quarter – 6.00 remaining North Melbourne – 12.8.80 Collingwood – 14.13.97 The ball goes inside North's 50 again however Clark intercepts the ball. Collingwood running the clock on the wing. Turnover, now North charging.