Interim North Melbourne coach Brett Ratten will take on his former side for the first time since his brutal sacking last season.
The Roos (2-15, 65.8%) have struggled since their hot start to the season off the back of coach Alastair Clarkson’s decision to step away.
But with Clarkson locking in a Round 21 return, Ratten has just two matches left at the helm – including Sunday’s encounter with his former club St Kilda, who sacked him only months after giving him a new deal.
Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
The Saints (9-8, 104.3%) have endured their own woes this week – first denying reports of an off-field rift and then trying to shrug their recent run of form that’s resulted in one win from five matches.
This match gets underway at 4.40pm AEST from Marvel Stadium.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504) from 4pm AEST.
QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT
The Kangaroos made a late change with Charlie Lazzaro (back tightness) replaced in the side by Daniel Howe.
The subs were Jack Ziebell and Jack Billings for the final match of Round 19.
The Saints had the early territory as North couldn’t clear from their back half.
When Aidan Corr couldn’t clear and instead found Jack Sinclair, the Saints were on the board first.
“Under pressure, the dump kick out… just building pressure and North Melbourne didn’t have the time and patience and skill to come out of their back half,” commentator Jordan Lewis lamented.
Mitch Owens added the club’s second moments later in a worrying start for the Roos.
“North have seen this movie before – outplayed in opening quarters,” Dwayne Russell said.
Brad Hill left the field after a solid bump from Corr and went straight down to the rooms for an assessment.
It was confirmed the Saints star was off to hospital for a “precautionary chest scan” as a result of the hit.
“The good news is he’s feeling OK, but going to get that chest scanned,” Fox Footy’s Sarah Jones said.
North Melbourne weren’t helping themselves with their skills, going by less than 40% efficiency in the opening term.
But when Eddie Ford got out the back, a more settled North finally got on the scoreboard.
Nick Larkey cashed in when opponent Dougal Howard slipped over to level up scores.
Follow St Kilda v North Melbourne in our live blog below!
If you can’t see the blog, tap here.
