WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday May 4, 1:10pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide
LAST FOUR TIMES
R11, 2013, Gold Coast 9.12 (66) d North Melbourne 8.3 (51) at Metricon Stadium
R12, 2012, North Melbourne 11.21 (87) d Gold Coast 12.8 (80) at Metricon Stadium
R5, 2012, North Melbourne 17.25 (127) d Gold Coast 13.15 (93) at Etihad Stadium
R12, 2011, North Melbourne 18.14 (122) d Gold Coast 9.9 (63) at Metricon Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. In the Suns' breakthrough win over the Kangaroos in 2013 Gary Ablett starred, picking up three Brownlow votes for his 33 possessions and two goals, with Jarrod Harbrow (30 possessions) and Dion Prestia (28) also influential for Gold Coast.
2. Gold Coast is ranked fourth in the AFL in 2014 for inside 50s, averaging 54.2 a game, while North Melbourne is 16th with 44.7 a game.
3. The Suns have continued to struggle in the ruck this year and are ranked 17th in the competition for total hit-outs. With Todd Goldstein again shouldering most of their ruck duties, the Roos are ranked 10th.
4. North is averaging 20 disposals more a game than Gold Coast in 2014, with 370.5 disposals (ranked fifth in the AFL) compared to the Suns' 355 (13th).
5. In the four clashes between the teams, North's Brent Harvey and Lindsay Thomas have kicked the most goals (nine), while Gold Coast skipper Ablett has polled the most Brownlow votes (eight).
6. Although Ablett remains unchallenged at the top of the Official AFL Player Ratings, there are eight North players ranked higher than the Suns' next best player, Harley Bennell at No. 84. They are Harvey (6), Daniel Wells (19), Scott Thompson (40), Goldstein (48), Nick Dal Santo (58), Drew Petrie (67), Ben Cunnington (71) and Andrew Swallow (82).
Prediction: North Melbourne by 27 points
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