GWS Giants vs North Melbourne Kangaroos Preview
North Melbourne are 4-2 for the season and can cover the line. I expect this to be a close one, making the Kangaroos with a +18.5 start the value.
- North Melbourne have a 4-2 win-loss record in 2026, while GWS are 2-4.
- Cooper Trembath has kicked 2+ goals in five of six matches this season.
- Luke Parker has had 25+ disposals in three of his past four matches.
- Finn Callaghan has had 30+ disposals in three of his past four matches.
Head to Head Stats
GWS have won the past four meetings between the two sides by an average margin of 42.5 points. The two sides last met in Round 22 last season, with the Giants winning by 54 points.
GWS Giants Form
The Giants sit at 2-4 and come off a 41-point loss to the Sydney Swans last weekend. That margin could have been closer if not for inaccuracy in front of goal, registering 26 scoring shots to 22 in the 8.18 to 17.5 scoreline.
Jake Riccardi impressed with 3.1, while Clayton Oliver picked up a game-high 37 disposals. Lachie Whitfield and Lachie Ash both had 29 disposals, while Toby Greene finished with 27 but was wasteful in front of goal with 0.5.
A concern for the Giants is their inability to convert opportunities, kicking 74 points or fewer in four of their past five matches. Their ball movement did show signs of returning to the “Orange Tsunami” against Richmond, where they posted 131 points in a 56-point Gather Round win a fortnight ago.
The Giants have the personnel to challenge North Melbourne, including Oliver, who has had 30+ disposals in his past four matches, while Finn Callaghan has reached that mark in three of his past four. Lachie Ash and Lachie Whitfield are both averaging 30 disposals in 2026.
North Melbourne Kangaroos Form
North Melbourne have made their best start to a season since 2016 and sit at 4-2 following their 75-point demolition of Richmond last weekend. They have played just one finalist from 2025, resulting in a 26-point loss to the premiers, Brisbane, in Gather Round, but they competed well for large patches and took positives from that performance.
Paul Curtis starred against the Tigers with six goals, while Cooper Trembath continues to produce, booting three. The 2025 mid-season rookie was playing at suburban Blackburn this time last year and has now kicked 2+ goals in five of six matches this season.
The Kangaroos’ improvement in 2026 has been driven by their pressure and stoppage work. They dominated in this area against Richmond and controlled the disposal count (428-280).
Harry Sheezel racked up another 39 disposals and has now hit 30+ in eight of his past nine matches. There were also a host of other Kangaroos collecting 25+, including Luke Davies-Uniacke, who has reached that mark in four of his past five.
GWS Giants vs North Melbourne Kangaroos Team News
Stephen Coniglio, Jesse Hogan, Aaron Cadman and Brent Daniels are all back as the Giants regain star power.
For the Roos, Tristan Xerri returns from suspension, while Callum Coleman-Jones is managed.