World News Suns face North in golden chance to snap away struggles Blog

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Gold Coast travel to Marvel Stadium to face weak North Melbourne in a desperate attempt to shake off the unwanted reputation of being a winless away team.

The Suns’ poor performance away from home – they have eight home wins and seven away losses so far – is clouding their push to reach the finals for the first time.

After a thrilling home win against Collingwood, they have arguably no better chance of ending that streak than on Saturday against bottom-placed North (1-14). A win would be crucial to keep the 11th-placed Suns firmly in the race for the finals.

But his North Melbourne counterpart Alastair Clarkson insists Damien Hardwick’s Suns are under no pressure to deliver results.

“I don’t think they would be under that much pressure after their win against the Pies last week, they played great football,” said Clarkson.

The decisive factor will be the battle between the respective on-ball brigades of Touk Miller, Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell and Sam Flanders against Luke Davies-Uniacke, Jy Simpkin and George Wardlaw from North.

“We know we have our hands full in the middle of the pitch, it’s going to be very critical,” Clarkson said.

“We lowered our colours to the Dogs in this area last week. Gold Coast beat Collingwood in this area last week.

“Gold Coast dropped their colours in this area against Fremantle the week before, so it’s safe to assume that whoever wins in the middle of the pitch will win the game.

“So we hope we can be better in that regard on Saturday against Gold Coast because we know Rowell, Miller and Anderson and the other guys in the midfield are very talented.

“So we have to do our best. And if we can do that, we will challenge Gold Coast. But if we don’t, it will be hard work for us.”

The Suns are without captain Jarrod Witts (broken vertebra), who has been replaced by the talented young Ruck Ned Moyle.

North Melbourne has welcomed back No. 2 draft pick Colby McKercher, who was suffering from a bone strain in his foot.

He is expected to replace new signing Zac Fisher (foot) in the half-back position.

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