St Kilda has added Jack Lonie, Hugh Goddard and Brodie Murdoch to the side that comprehensively defeated Melbourne last weekend, naming its 25-man squad ahead of Sunday’s encounter with the undefeated North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

The Kangaroos have taken all before them in the opening quarter of the season, passing through the first six rounds as the only unblemished team in the competition following their hard fought win over Western Bulldogs last Friday night.

Alan Richardson has recalled Lonie to the senior squad after he responded emphatically to being left out of last weekend’s side to face Melbourne, producing a best on ground performance for Sandringham, collecting 33 touches and three goals.

Murdoch’s strong form across half-back has also been recognised, with the South Australian’s polished ball use standing out in the VFL across the first month of the season. Whilst Goddard is also in line for his first opportunity of 2016 following an encouraging start to the year in defence with the Zebras.

 

North Melbourne will celebrate key forward Drew Petrie’s 300th game on Sunday afternoon, with the spearhead forming a formidable part of the Kangaroos attacking setup, alongside Jarrad Waite and Ben Brown. The trio, along with Brent Harvey and Shaun Higgins when they push forward have led North to average the second most points per game this season (112 points).

Waite’s start to 2016 has seen his rise at Arden Street continue. The former Carlton key forward has kicked the third most goals in the game this season with 22.6 from six games. He is averaging more disposals (17.5), marks (7.3), tackles (4.5) and goals (3.7) than at any other time in his career. Along with Petrie, the pair presents a difficult task for Sean Dempster and Sam Fisher and co to deal with.

A week after producing breakout games, Blake Acres and Tim Membrey, will be out to follow up career-best performances against the Demons. Membrey was dominant inside 50, booting five goals to demonstrate his goal kicking prowess, whilst Acres’ 28-possession effort earned him a Rising Star nomination.

If you thought Tom Hickey’s task couldn’t get any more difficult after facing the red-hot Max Gawn last week, it gets even harder this weekend against reigning All Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein.

Whilst Gawn has dominated discussion due to the spike in his performance, the North Melbourne star has sustained his dominance in the ruck. Hickey continued his impressive start to the season by limiting Gawn’s influence and will be asked to repeat the feat this weekend against Goldstein.

It was a collective engine room effort that trumped Melbourne, with Jack Steven, David Armitage, Jack Newnes, Seb Ross, Luke Dunstan and Acres all making a sizeable contribution in the 39-point win. Another even spread will be required to eclipse a Kangaroos onball department which has become not reliant on star performances and more on everyone playing their role.

With Paddy McCartin not being recalled to the senior side after having his workload managed last weekend, St Kilda Captain Nick Riewoldt is likely to play predominantly as a forward again, like he did with aplomb against the Demons, collecting 10 Coaches Association votes.