SUMMARY
The battle of Tasmania is effectively a dead rubber, with neither Hawthorn nor North Melbourne – which both play home matches across the Bass Strait – in finals contention. The Hawks had lost just one of their past six games before Richmond's pressure brought them unstuck on Sunday, but that previous form was as good as any other side in the competition. Luke Hodge's return from suspension will help organise a Hawthorn back six that also contains rising stars Ryan Burton and James Sicily. Curbing ball-magnet Tom Mitchell will be tough for the Roos, who will hope for Ben Cunnington, Shaun Higgins and Trent Dumont to fire in the middle. Ryan Clarke had a career-high 31 disposals last week and is building momentum. North Melbourne coach Brad Scott wants to finish strongly after winning just one of his last nine outings.
WHERE AND WHEN: University of Tasmania Stadium, Sunday, August 13, 3.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R21, 2016, Hawthorn 14.12 (96) d North Melbourne 8.9 (57) at the MCG
R13, 2016, Hawthorn 14.9 (93) d North Melbourne 11.18 (84) at Etihad Stadium
R5, 2015, Hawthorn 19.16 (130) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70) at Etihad Stadium
R16, 2014, North Melbourne 16.12 (108) d Hawthorn 13.10 (88) at Etihad Stadium
R22, 2013, Hawthorn 17.15 (117) d North Melbourne 15.13 (103) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Hawthorn kicked eight goals to one in the first quarter in the last match between the clubs to blow the Kangaroos out of the water. Sam Mitchell was best on ground with 37 disposals and Cyril Rioli kicked three goals, but neither will play for the Hawks in the rematch.
2. North kicks the least of any team this season, averaging 189.1 per game compared to the Hawks' 214.1, which ranks seventh in the AFL.
3. Hawthorn has dominated the Kangas recently, winning the past three matches and seven of the past eight, including a record-breaking, 115-point victory in 2012.
4. The Hawks are the worst centre clearance team this season, winning only 11.1 per game. North is marginally better, ranked 11th at an average of 12.7.
5. After 19 consecutive wins at University of Tasmania Stadium entering 2017, Hawthorn's form there has been mixed with one win, one loss and one draw. The Roos' Launceston record is two wins from six trips.
6. Rebooted Hawks defender James Sicily's electric form has propelled him to a personal-best ranking of 242 in the Schick AFL Player Ratings.
Read: Big Roo a chance for Hawks' clash
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Will Langford
Langford's struggles in front of goal – six goals from 19 scoring shots – continue to garner attention, and the straightforward set shot he tugged out on the full on Sunday did not help his cause. The courageous Hawk continues to spend most of his time up forward and his effort is always there, but he will be hoping for greater accuracy this Sunday.
PREDICTION: Hawthorn by 23 points
