Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Roos face must-win AFL clash with Dogs

North Melbourne forward Mason Wood is expecting a hotly-contested AFL clash against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

Mason Wood
Kangaroos forward Mason Wood is enjoying his most productive AFL season after a spate of injuries. (AAP)

Dale Morris plays his 250th AFL match when the Western Bulldogs take on North Melbourne, while injury-plagued Kangaroo Mason Wood will also celebrate a milestone of sorts.

Wood, 24, makes his 11th appearance of the campaign on Sunday - the most he has managed in six largely injury-interrupted seasons at Arden St.

"I actually said to Nick Dal Santo last week as I was walking off the ground that it was my equal personal best," Wood quipped.

"I guess if you look at it that way it has been my best year so far, but it has still been a little bit up and down."

Wood's talent has never been doubted, but he has suffered more than his share of bad luck on the injury front.

He is still yet to play in round one of an AFL season after he suffered a fractured thumb in February, but impressed in a run of eight games in a row before a hamstring strain in round 15.

His 18 goals is a career-best tally and Wood feels he's becoming a more-rounded player.

"I've tried to be a little bit more proactive defensively, which I needed to be, and slot into any part of the forward line whether that's been playing smaller or taller (roles)," he said.

"I think there's a lot of flexibility in our forward line with guys who can play deep and a little higher too.

"I'm more than happy to get up the ground a bit more. It gets me running, which I think I do alright."

Brad Scott's side sit 10th on the ladder with three rounds remaining and a win against the 14th-placed Bulldogs is a must if they are to secure a finals berth.

On a positive note North Melbourne welcome back veteran Shaun Higgins, who missed just one match after knee surgery, for the round 21 clash at Etihad Stadium.

The Dogs also made one change with rookie midfielder Billy Gowers replacing a rested Roarke Smith.

"We're approaching the Doggies like we need to win to stay alive, which really is the case with every game now," Wood said.

"We're expecting a really hotly contested game.

"It brings that extra element of pressure that we have to keep winning, but I think it's bringing the group together really nicely."


3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world