Recent history has heavily favoured Geelong against North Melbourne, but it is not a challenge they can afford to take lightly as the Cats head to Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
Looking to extend a 13 game winning streak over the Kangaroos, the Cats can solidify their spot in the top four with a victory this week, with the final month of the home and away season just around the corner.
While North Melbourne sit in 17th position on the ladder, they have already surpassed their win total from the previous three seasons and have been increasingly competitive throughout 2025.
With a number of damaging players on each line, take a look at North Melbourne's key strengths ahead of Saturday's clash, proudly presented by Deakin University.
Deakin Performance Stat of the Week
Winning the ball from the source
Sifting through the statistics from this year, there is one particular area that North Melbourne excel in above all others, and that is their stoppage work.
The Kangaroos as a team rank third in the AFL for total clearances this year, winning an average of 40.5 per game which is better than Geelong's average of 37.8 per game.
In their four wins and one draw to this point of the season, North Melbourne have won the clearance battle in each of those games with a differential of +68, including significant discrepancies against Brisbane (+15), Melbourne (+12) and Richmond (+21)
Fortunately for Geelong, the Kangaroos number one stoppage player in 2025, Tristan Xerri will miss this week through suspension but they still have four other players ranked in the AFL's top 50 for clearances including Luke Davies-Uniacke (23rd), Tom Powell (32nd), Luke Parker (42nd) and Jy Simpkin (49th).
North Melbourne's Top Clearance Winners in 2025
| Player | Total Clearances | Average Per Game | AFL Rank |
| Tristan Xerri | 120 | 7.1 | 7th |
| Luke Davies-Uniacke | 98 | 5.8 | 23rd |
| Tom Powell | 85 | 4.7 | 32nd |
| Luke Parker | 78 | 4.6 | 42nd |
| Jy Simpkin | 72 | 4.0 | 49th |
North Melbourne's prime ball users
There are three North Melbourne players in particular that generate plenty of their ball movement off half back; Caleb Daniel, Colby McKercher and Harry Sheezel.
Daniel ranks 23rd in the AFL for total disposals this year but goes at a very impressive 81% efficiency, sitting sixth in the competition for rebound 50s as the Kangaroos use him as their main distributor off half back.
Another player they look to get the ball into the hands of is Harry Sheezel, who ranks first in the AFL for uncontested possessions and eighth for total disposals this year.
Averages Per Game
| Player | Disposals | Disposal Efficiency | Rebound 50s | Uncontested Possessions |
| Harry Sheezel | 27.6 | 72.6% | 3.1 | 19.0 |
| Colby McKercher | 21.4 | 74.0% | 3.0 | 15.3 |
| Caleb Daniel | 26.1 | 80.8% | 5.9 | 15.4 |
McKercher has impressed off half back with his run and carry, particularly over the past two months averaging 30 disposals per game across his last seven outings, while also sneaking forward to kick 10 goals this season.
Marvel Stadium suits teams that can use the ball efficiently and move it with speed, something the Cats have been susceptible to previously which means they will need to find ways to apply pressure to these three players on Saturday night.
Locking down the Kangaroos forward trio
North Melbourne have had three main threats in front of the big sticks this year in Nick Larkey, Cam Zurhaar and Paul Curtis.
Larkey has lead the way kicking 38 goals from his 16 games in 2025, sitting eighth in the Coleman Medal while also sitting in North Melbourne's top five for goal assists and score involvements.
Zurhaar has booted 32 majors and dished off 12 goal assists, while Curtis has been equally as impressive with 28 goals from just 15 games this season. Curtis also leads the competition for tackles inside 50 this season with 48, which is 16 clear of Tyson Stengle in second spot.
