Cats pose solid AFL test for Brown, North

North Melbourne key forward Ben Brown has only kicked five goals in six games against Geelong ahead of Sunday's clash.

Ben Brown

In six games against the Cats, Ben Brown has kicked just five goals. (AAP)

Ben Brown's AFL goal drought against Geelong plus the miserly Cats defence equal trouble for Brad Scott.

But the North Melbourne coach is not fussy about who kicks the goals in Sunday's clash at Marvel Stadium, provided the Kangaroos can somehow play the game on their terms.

It will be easier said than done, given the Cats are a game clear on top of the ladder and coming off a win over Essendon where they strangled the Bombers' hard-running game style.

North are 15th and coming off a badly-needed win over Carlton, where Brown kicked four goals and Cam Zurhaar earned a Rising Star nomination for his five-goal haul.

In six games against the Cats, Brown has kicked just five goals.

Geelong also boast the league's stingiest defence after seven rounds.

"It's going to be really important that we have other options to goal," Scott said of Brown.

"Ben's an influential player, so hopefully he draws a couple to him and opens up some gaps in the otherwise pretty solid Geelong defence."

Likewise, Scott is not expecting another big haul from Zurhaar, provided he plays his role in attack.

"If you want to be a good forward structure, then you have to accept some guys are going to kick goals some weeks," he said.

"But if you keep playing consistently, that will probably ebb and flow.

"This week, we would be equally as delighted if Cam Zurhaar doesn't kick a goal but sets up five others."

Scott said the key is not letting Geelong dictate terms.

"Geelong have been really solid but the challenge is going to be the look of the game," he said.

"If we can get it our way, then the result will largely take care of itself but if we just allow Geelong to do what they're doing, then they're rated the best team in the competition at the moment for a reason."

Scott will be up against his twin brother Chris on Mother's Day and the North coach is not sure that is a coincidence.

"The AFL tell me they had absolutely no idea, which I'm a little bit cynical about," Brad said.

"You can look at it two ways. It's win-win for Mum or lose-lose - I'm not sure. But it's a tough one for her."


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Source: AAP


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