1. Sweet 16 for Roos
North Melbourne's dominance over Melbourne has continued with the Roos' extending their winning streak over the Demons to 16 consecutive games. It has now been 11 years since Melbourne last beat the Roos, that win coming in round 20, 2006. Brad Scott's men led at nearly every stage of the game, and while the Demons got within striking distance on a couple of occasions, the Roos managed to stem the flow and work the game back onto their terms. Forward Ben Brown was phenomenal in attack, and no match in the air for Melbourne's key defenders. The star Roo kicked five goals and hauled in six marks to lead North to its third win of the season.
2. Goldstein dominates hit-outs, but Demons win clearances
In the absence of No.1 ruckman Max Gawn, the Demons have had to be creative in recent weeks. Last week against Adelaide, they were able to win the clearances despite not having a recognised ruckman and Crows big man Sam Jacobs racking up 74 hit-outs. Once again coach Simon Goodwin had to think outside the box to nullify the impact of Kangaroo Todd Goldstein. The North Melbourne ruckman dominated the hit-outs early with 44 in the first half to the Demons' 15, and was on track to break his own AFL record for most hit-outs (80). He didn't quite reach the heights that were predicted after half-time, but he was one of the Roos' most influential players, finishing with 61 hit-outs, 17 disposals, three marks and eight tackles. Despite his dominance with the tap-outs, it was the Demons who finished slightly ahead in the clearances with 39 to 34. A remarkable effort by Melbourne's midfield, considering the Dees only had 28 hit-outs for the match.
3. Injured Roo battles through
Ben Cunnington was having a clear impact early in the game with five disposals, two clearances and goal before injury struck half way through the opening term. The North Melbourne midfielder's right leg twisted awkwardly beneath him when he was tackled by Jack Viney at a centre bounce. He tried immediately to stand up, but collapsed in a heap and was assisted off the ground by three trainers. He was taken into the rooms, and when he emerged just before quarter-time had strapping on both his right ankle and knee. Cunnington was put through a fitness test, and while he didn't look comfortable, managed to return in the second quarter. It was a brave effort from the midfielder, with Cunnington somehow managing to impact the game, albeit on one leg. He was the Kangaroo's equal-leading disposal-winner at the final siren with 26 touches and eight clearances, but there is no doubt he will need scans on his injured knee and ankle come Monday.
4 Tensions boil over
The Match Review Panel is going to have a very busy Monday when it reviews this game. The tone was set just seconds before the first bounce with Kangaroo Shaun Higgins roughing up Jack Viney with a couple of jumper punches. The spotfires continued to breakout throughout the first term with Higgins often the central figure. With both teams playing on the edge, tensions eventually boiled over in the second term in what was the most spiteful quarter of football seen this season. There were three free kicks paid for undisciplined acts, jumper punches galore plenty of push and shove. Demons midfielder Bernie Vince was forced off the ground after receiving a fist in the bread basket from Ben Cunnington. It was a fiery quarter but both sides gave as good as they got, and while it is more than likely to cost a few players in fines, it was the spark that swung the Demons into action.
5. Vince v Higgins
The niggle aside, it was an intriguing battle between Bernie Vince and Shaun Higgins. The star Roo looked dangerous early in the game, and was instrumental in orchestrating his side's 26-point lead at quarter-time. Goodwin sent Vince to Higgins at the start of the second term to try and curb his influence, with the Demon restricting the Kangaroo to three touches for the quarter. To try and shake the tag, Higgins pushed forward in the third term, forcing Vince to play as a defender. And while Higgins won that battle, he couldn't impact the scoreboard, kicking three behinds (two from set shots). In the end, Higgins finished with 18 disposals, two clearances and a goal, and while Vince had 12 disposals, he certainly limited the influence of the dangerous Kangaroo.
