Saturday April 17, 6:30pm at Hillcrest

In a "close second" for game of the round, this game features two teams in the top 5, both of whom have the ability to feature in a grand final.

Norwood returned their core group for the last two years, and despite the temporary absence of David Cooper and Dan Thompson, have produced a creditable 3 and 2 start the season, though would have been disappointed not to get closer to a Sturt team in round 3 that was without Jacob Holmes and Marcus Ng.

North are in a 4-way jossle for first place, their only loss coming to a sharp-shooting Centrals in round 4. Ryan Kersten has bolstered an already-strong backcourt, and coupled with tall point guard Michael Zorich, have instigated the return of North's transition offence of the last decade.

Nick Hambour is heading for his best season since 2005, in which he averaged 21 points per game. Prior to Pero Vasiljevic's arrival, Hambour is being called upon to produce big defensive efforts against opposition centres, and in offence, has had 19, 18 and 15 in his last three games. In an upset over Forestville, Hambour was dominant in the post, and with Norwood still missing some height, he will play a key role in North's scoring output.

Surprising noone, Todd Matthews is again getting things happening for Norwood. He started the season with 17 points and 8 assists in a suprisingly comfortable win against Centrals, and his 23 points and 5 assists were pivotal in an overtime win over Woodville. Coming off a rare down night against Brad Davidson's Bercats, expect Matthews to relish the opportunity to go head-to-head with Kersten and Zorich.

The rivalry between these teams hit a peak in 2007, when Norwood won an overtime semi final at Hillcrest, and Dusty Rychart helped North to a Grand Final win two weeks later. Much has changed since then, but expect this game to be no less intense.