Preview: Sydney Swans v North Melbourne

VENUE & TIME: ANZ Stadium, Saturday 6 September, 7.30pm AEST

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 146, North Melbourne 71, Sydney 74, Drawn 1

LAST TIME: North Melbourne 9.10 (64) drew with Sydney 8.16 (64), Round 6, 20008 at Telstra Dome.

WALKING WOUNDED: Leigh Harding was given only a 50-50 chance of playing after hurting his knee last week. Should he miss, Jess Sinclair would be a strong chance to return. Jesse Smith is the only other player from North's best 22 out, but the club may seek vengeance at selection following last week's appalling showing. The Swans will regain star pair Adam Goodes and Ryan O'Keefe but are less certain forward Michael O'Loughlin will return.

FORM: The Kangaroos had been the form team of the competition heading into Round 21 but a loss to Geelong, albeit an honourable one, followed by a disgraceful showing last week against Port Adelaide has lowered their rating. However, their six wins from the final eight rounds makes better reading than Sydney's three. The Swans crushed Brisbane last week but the Lions have also been struggling of late.

WHO'S HOT: David Hale is shaping as the unlikely trump card for North after hitting career-best form in the past fortnight. After bagging eight goals against Geelong, Hale kicked another four in last week's losing cause. At 201cm, he will pose a daunting adversary for the Sydney defence. Jarred Moore gave Sydney's forward line extra bite at ground level last week with his four goals and 22 possessions. Remarkably, 16 of his 22 touches were contested.

WE THINK: Punters backing Sydney this week based on last week's form are in for a windfall - of fools' gold. Granted, North was disgraceful, abysmal, pathetic - call them whatever you want - last week but their form in the previous seven games entitled the Kangas to at least one off day. The Swans have had plenty of them in recent times but North is not a bad opponent for them. Both teams are tough and uncompromising so don't expect a free-flowing affair. In Hale and Drew Petrie, North has two big forward targets whereas the Swans will be very reliant on Barry Hall, particularly if O'Loughlin misses. Don't be surprised to see Adam Goodes spend more time in attack if that happens. The two teams drew last time and could only be split by percentage so strap yourself in for a close one. This one could go into extra time. North Melbourne by six points.