The West Coast Eagles have gotten their season off to a hot start, defeating the West Coast Eagles by 43 points on Sunday afternoon.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
North Melbourne Kangaroos 13.15.93
West Coast Eagles 21.10.136
North Melbourne and West Coast are set to play in their first game of the AFL season on Sunday afternoon at Etihad Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 1:10pm AEDT.
North Melbourne are coming off a disappointing 2016 season losing to Adelaide in the elimination finals.
Since then North have commenced their rebuild delisting four of their key experienced players (Brent Harvey, Michael Firrito, Drew Petrie and Nick Dal Santo).
North Melbourne are expected to have a tough period during the next couple of years as they rebuild.
The Kangaroos have named six fresh faces in their best 22 including first round pick Jy Simpkin and former Bulldog Nathan Hrovat.
Last season West Coast had an early exit from the finals losing to the eventual premiers the Western Bulldogs at home during the first week of the finals.
They will be expecting to go further this season and should be pushing for a top four finish.
The Eagles have named three new players all at their second club.
Veteran players Sam Mitchell and Drew Petrie will give West Coast some great experience and unlucky ruckman Nathan Vardy will start in the ruck for the Eagles.
North have won eight of their thirteen games at Etihad Stadium last season compared to West Coast who lost their only encounter at Etihad Stadium last year.
North will be without star midfielder Ben Cunnington after copping a one game suspension during the pre-season.
West Coast will be without ruck duo Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett.
I am looking forward to the matchup of Robbie Tarrant and Josh Kennedy. Tarrant is coming off a career best season while Kennedy is coming off his second Coleman Medal in a row and is looking to make that a three-peat.
Prediction
North Melbourne will cause an upset and beat West Coast in what should be a good battle.
North Melbourne by 4 points
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 1:10pm AEDT.
Don Freo
Guest
Although, if he had 8 shots at goal, he may have beaten his direct opponent. Was it McKenzie or McGovern?
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I think Waite was the definition of "big liability" today with his grand ol' score of 1.7!
Callum Thomson
Roar Guru
He needs to give Daw a chance. Pruess struggled today.
Swannies
Guest
Waite could prove a big liability for North this year, especially if he gets injured again. If Brown doesn't progress then they will struggle to be competitive. Time for Scott to bite the bullet and give Daw a go up forward.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I had North 15th in my ladder prediction and got attacked for it. I know it's only one game, but they weren't super impressive today.
Callum Thomson
Roar Guru
Roos would be done I reckon. Possibly Brandon McCarthy could be the answer.
Swannies
Guest
You are right...I can't see Scott coping with more losses like this year in 2017...he likes to win and handles losing badly. Maybe Paul Roos could be the answer?
Callum Thomson
Roar Guru
He won't need to. I don't think he will last much longer as coach, give him two season tops. He will be found out now that North are rebuilding. Heading for the spoon this year I reckon.
Callum Thomson
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report Final Score North Melbourne 13.15.93 def. by West Coast 21.10.136
Callum Thomson
Roar Guru
Full Time The Eagles run over the Roos who got out run in the end by a better team. It was a good battle for two and a half quarters but the Roos ran out of legs. Kennedy dominated with seven goals while at the other end Jarrad Watie kicked 1.7! Mitchell had 38 disposals for the Eagles and Gaff had 36 touches. For North Ziebell battled hard having 31 disposals. Eagles looked good out there once they got going while North look like they are going to be in for a tough year.
Swannies
Guest
Scott...Grab the yellow pages and look under G for goal-kicker
Swannies
Guest
Was I too harsh saying bottom 4 for North?
Callum Thomson
Roar Guru
3 way tie for the wooden spoon?
Callum Thomson
Roar Guru
Tarrant kicks a bomb from 60 to gives North a consolation goal. Roos: 13.15.93 Eagles: 21.10.136
Callum Thomson
Roar Guru
Higgins kicks a behind for the Roos. Eagles by 49
Swannies
Guest
Come on Eagles...finish them off with 2 more goals! You can't fool us Scott...this is a team undergoing a serious rebuild.
Callum Thomson
Roar Guru
Ben Brown needs to step up. He's shown some good signs but needs to go to the next level.
Callum Thomson
Roar Guru
Jamie Cripps kicks his second for the Eagles and gives them a 50 point lead. Roos: 12.14.86 Eagles: 21.10.136
Callum Thomson
Roar Guru
Cripps sky's a kick and it goes through for a behind. Eagles by 44
Swannies
Guest
Geez...North look pretty ordinary! Carlton and Lions might still give them a real fright!