North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Gold Coast Suns Tips - Kangaroos to bounce back after horror show against Crows
North Melbourne Kangaroos look to rebound after a heavy defeat when they host the Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium in Round 11. Despite a 4-6 record, the Kangaroos have performed well at home and could exploit the Suns’ defensive struggles outside Queensland. Both teams boast attacking threats, with Nick Larkey and Ben King tipped for big performances. The prediction is for a high-scoring contest, with North Melbourne taking a close match or pushing the Suns all the way, as Gold Coast remains inconsistent on the road.
- North Melbourne looks to rebound at home after a tough loss to Adelaide.
- Gold Coast Suns have won 3 straight but struggle outside Queensland/NT.
- Prediction: Expect high total points, with Kangaroos tipped to push the Suns in a close contest.
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Gold Coast Suns Preview
- North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Gold Coast Suns Preview
- Head to Head
- North Melbourne Kangaroos Form Analysis
- North Melbourne Kangaroos Team News
- Gold Coast Suns Form Analysis
- Gold Coast Suns Team News
North Melbourne can bounce back from their worst loss of the season when they take on the Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium in AFL Round 11.
The Kangaroos were blown out of the water early against Adelaide before eventually going down by 68 points and come in with a 4-6 win-loss record, while Gold Coast have won three on the trot and sit at 7-3.
But question marks still remain on the Suns outside of Queensland and the Northern Territory. They are 1-3 outside of that region in 2026, while North Melbourne pushed the ladder leaders, Sydney, at this very venue just a fortnight ago.
This shapes as one of the higher-scoring games of the round, with both sides carrying clear strengths in attack but ongoing concerns defensively. North Melbourne’s defensive issues were badly exposed by Adelaide last week, conceding 20 goals from just 49 inside 50s, while Gold Coast have now conceded 100+ points in each of their past three matches outside Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The Suns have improved their pressure and contest work over the past month, but much of that form has come in familiar conditions in Darwin and on the Gold Coast. Their transition defence and ability to slow opposition ball movement has looked far less reliable away from home, which should give North Melbourne opportunities to move the ball quickly through the corridor at Marvel Stadium.
Despite the ugly scoreline against Adelaide, there were still periods where North Melbourne’s midfield looked capable of matching it with quality opposition. The Kangaroos controlled territory early against the Crows before Adelaide’s second-quarter avalanche completely shifted momentum. The response after half-time was more competitive and Alastair Clarkson’s side will view last week as more of an aberration than a sign of deeper problems.
North Melbourne’s midfield depth and variety forward of the ball should allow them to challenge Gold Coast throughout this contest. Luke Davies-Uniacke, Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw and Tristan Xerri still provide enough firepower around stoppage to generate scoring opportunities, while Paul Curtis and Nick Larkey remain dangerous inside 50.
Gold Coast have also started to regain their preferred midfield mix, with Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell and Touk Miller beginning to spend more time together around stoppage. Their clearance work looked sharper against Port Adelaide and they continue to generate quality inside 50 supply when their pressure game is working.
That should create a genuine shootout between two forward lines capable of putting big scores on the board. Ben King remains one of the competition’s premier key forwards despite a quieter outing in Darwin, while Nick Larkey has consistently troubled the Suns in recent years and should enjoy the quicker conditions back under the Marvel Stadium roof.
Take the Kangaroos with the small start in a match where the total points will hit the over. Nick Larkey and Ben King loom as value for 3+ goals at either end.
Gold Coast have won just one of four outside Queensland and the Northern Territory in 2026, with that victory coming against Richmond
- The Suns have conceded 100 points or more in their past three away games
- Nick Larkey has kicked 15 goals in his past four matches against the Suns
- Ben King has kicked 14 goals in his past four matches against North Melbourne
Head to Head
The most recent clash between the two sides came in Gather Round last season, with Gold Coast recording a 52-point win in a high-scoring affair, 141-89. North Melbourne were four-point winners at Marvel Stadium in 2024 and have won three of their past four against the Suns at the venue.
Standout player performances in recent head-to-head clashes have come from:
- Touk Miller (Suns) – 25+ disposals in three of his past four against the Kangaroos
- Luke Davies-Uniacke (Kangaroos) – 25+ disposals in his past three and 30+ in two of his past three against Gold Coast
- Nick Larkey (Kangaroos) – 15 goals from his past four matches against the Suns
- Ben King (Suns) – 14 goals from his past four matches against North Melbourne
North Melbourne Kangaroos Form Analysis
North Melbourne made a promising start to 2026 by winning four of their opening five matches on the back of a favourable early fixture, but they have since dropped five of their past six, with four of those defeats coming against finalists from last season.
The Kangaroos were highly competitive in their eight-point loss to Sydney in Round 9 before suffering their worst defeat of the season against Adelaide last weekend.
The damage against the Crows came during a disastrous second quarter where North Melbourne conceded 10 unanswered goals. Adelaide’s pressure and ball movement completely overwhelmed the Kangaroos, who struggled to hold shape defensively and lost the contest battle badly during that period.
Importantly for North Melbourne, they were far more competitive after half-time and restricted Adelaide to six goals across the second half after conceding 14 in the opening two quarters.
Luke Parker was the only Roo to collect more than 25 disposals, finishing with 28, while Harry Sheezel and Luke Davies-Uniacke battled hard despite the heavy defeat. Paul Curtis continued his strong form with three goals and has now kicked 13 from his past five matches.
Parker has recorded 25+ disposals in five of his past six matches and remains a key organiser around stoppage and behind the ball.
North Melbourne Kangaroos Team News
North Melbourne escaped the Adelaide loss without injury concerns. Their VFL side was disappointing in a 13-point loss to Port Melbourne, although Tom Powell was one of the few to press his claims for senior selection.
Gold Coast Suns Form Analysis
Gold Coast enter this clash at 7-3 and have responded strongly after a difficult patch earlier in the season, winning three consecutive matches.
The Suns have lifted their pressure and defensive intensity in recent weeks, forcing turnovers and generating scores from transition far more effectively. Their midfield mix also looks far stronger with Matt Rowell returning alongside Noah Anderson and Touk Miller.
Much of that form has come in Queensland and the Northern Territory, however, where Gold Coast continue to look far more comfortable. Away from those conditions, the Suns have still shown vulnerabilities defensively, particularly when opposition teams are able to move the ball quickly through the corridor.
Gold Coast were strong for most of their win over Port Adelaide in Darwin, generating repeat forward entries and controlling the game around stoppage for long periods before fatigue crept in late after losing two rotations.
Ben King had a relatively quiet night with one goal, although the conditions were difficult for key forwards. Ned Moyle and Jed Walter stepped up with three goals apiece, while Noah Anderson, Bodhi Uwland and John Noble all collected 30+ disposals.
Noble has now recorded 30+ disposals in three consecutive matches, while Anderson has reached that mark in three of his past four.
Gold Coast Suns Team News
Lachie Weller will miss with a hamstring injury, while Will Graham entered concussion protocols after a heavy collision against Port Adelaide.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was a late withdrawal due to an ankle concern and will be assessed during the week, while Ben Long is expected to return.
Verdict
Kangaroos to go close in a match where the total points over should be pushed. Larkey and King amongst the goals at either end
North Melbourne
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