VENUE & TIME: Telstra Dome, Friday 18 July, 7:40pm AEST.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 21, Collingwood 98, North Melbourne 47, Drawn 2.
LAST TIME: North Melbourne 16.16 (112) def. Collingwood 15.15 (105), Round 5, 2008 at MCG.

WALKING WOUNDED: Injury prone North Melbourne defender Jesse Smith is out of action for a month with a hamstring injury, while ruckman Hamish McIntosh (knee) and key forward Aaron Edwards (leg) won't return before then either. Long-term victims Nathan Grima (knee) and Leigh Adams (knee) won't be back this season, but Shannon Grant should return for North after his one-week suspension imposed by the club. Collingwood forwards Anthony Rocca (ankle) and Ben Reid (foot) are out of action for approximately six weeks, while Sean Rusling (shoulder) and Brad Dick (knee) are gone for the season.

FORM: North Melbourne's last four games have produced two wins and two losses, but its two-point victory over Port Adelaide last start was a gutsy effort that pushed them within two points of a spot in the top eight. Although they have been playing without Anthony Rocca, the Magpies have won their last two matches against Sydney and Adelaide and are in fifth spot on the ladder and still have a good chance of finishing in the top-four.

WHO'S HOT: Drew Petrie is North Melbourne's Mr Fixit and, so far this season, the 25-year-old has played forward, back and in the ruck. Last week against Port Adelaide, Petrie collected 18 disposals, took eight marks, won nine hitouts and booted a goal. He has been a model of consistency all year. Enigmatic forward Paul Medhurst is slowly becoming one of Collingwood's most important players. So far in 2008, the 26-year-old has booted 42 goals, with five of them coming last week against the Crows.

WE THINK: North Melbourne are one of the hardest teams in the league to pick. Just when you think they don't have enough talent to challenge for a finals position, they come out and produce a stunning victory. Earlier this season they defeated Collingwood by seven points and the Pies had Anthony Rocca and Ben Reid in their line-up that night. That duo won't be in action on Friday night which gives North every chance of winning, but we think the Pies are playing slightly better football at the minute and should be too strong. Collingwood by 17 points.