After both teams had suffered consecutive losses, both also managed to rack up wins last week against much more fancied opponents.

North hit the lead in the opening minutes of their match against Hawthorn, and didn't give it up to one of the premiership favourites. They were also able to keep forward Lance Franklin to only one goal by playing a seventh man in defence, as a loose person.


Their game plan may need to be something similar against the Saints, with the potent Nick Riewoldt looking to kick a bagful. Even though the game was played in Melbourne, Fremantle went in last week's clas with the Saints as slight favourites.

They had managed to beat the Kangaroos the week prior by playing some attractive football, and managed to close a game off in style. But a resugrent Saints outfit - blooding three new players and dropping midfielder Nick Dal Santo and small forward Stephen Milne for the clash - came away with the four points.

This week, both players come into the side, with Lenny Hayes injuring his hamstring in his side's victory.

Saturday night's match will also go a long way in possibly shaping the top eight, with both teams set to feature in fighting for the last few positions available inside the top half.