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North Melbourne moves back inside the top 8 with a 35 point win over Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
NORTH 19 13 127
DEMONS 14 8 92
Leading from start to finish, North Melbourne would hold off a late challenge from Melbourne, to record their 11th win of the season.
In the first quarter, it was all the Kangaroos, as they opened up a 34 point lead at the opening change.
The Demons would make too many mistakes, provide the Kangaroos with plenty of space, and concede plenty of points.
>>MATCH REPORT: North in top six after defeating Demons
They also smashed Melbourne in the centre clearances with the Kangaroos winning the first 8 in the game.
This translated into scoreboard pressure as well as North kicked five of the first six goals of the game to open up a 28 point lead.
By the end of the first change, they extended it to 34, with two goals to Lindsay Thomas.
It would be one of the worst quarters of the year for Melbourne, and Paul Roos demanded a response from his players.
They got one, as Melbourne came back.
Four goals to two in the second quarter, with Jesse Hogan and Chris Dawes kicking three between them, put the margin back at 18 at half time.
The margin reduced to seven, early in the third term, as Melbourne kicked two quick goals.
They then had a chance to make it one point, if Jeff Garlett took a simple mark, but he would drop it cold and allow the Kangaroos to score at the other end.
Two more goals to Melbourne, would reduce the margin to two points, but that would be as close as they would get.
A goal after the siren gave North a ten point lead with Ben Brown kicking his second of the afternoon.
In the final term, the Kangaroos kicked away, as they lifted another gear as Melbourne fell away.
It would be goal for goal for the first ten minutes before Thomas kicked two crucial goals to give the Kangaroos a 22 point lead with 8 minutes to go.
Three more goals to the Kangaroos would give them a 35 point win and keep them within touch of a top 4 spot.
The first quarter proved pivotal as Melbourne ran out of puff in the final term.
Melbourne were gallant and played well after being humbled early.
They will face the Bulldogs next week at Etihad Stadium.
The Kangaroos will now face St Kilda as their pursuit for a top 8 spot continues.
Can Melbourne break two droughts in two weeks when they face North Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday afternoon?
Find out as The Roar live blogs the match from 1:10pm AEST, along with live scores.
Last week, for the first time since 2007, the Demons defeated Collingwood in the AFL with a 37 point win at the MCG.
It was their most polished performance of the season and gave the club renewed hope that they have improved considerably during 2015.
Now they will be looking to add another scalp, and break the drought against North Melbourne. They have lost the last 13 matches to the Kangaroos and have not won against them since 2006.
Only two players – Nathan Brown and Mark Jamar – in the Melbourne squad played in that match. Since then the closest they have gotten was in 2010 when they lost by ten points.
A win over the Kangaroos would make the season a great one for the Demons and give them a platform for 2016. Looking to stop that will be North who have aspirations to play finals football.
A win today would make it five wins in a row and keep them on track for September football. If results go their way then they could open up a six point gap on those ninth and below.
They can’t underestimate the Demons though. Teams that have done that this year have paid the ultimate price.
The Kangaroos have made three changes to the team that defeated Carlton last week.
Lachie Hansen, Robbie Nahas, and Aaron Mullett are in with Ryan Bastinac, Kayne Turner, and Michael Firrito out. Firrito has been suspended with the other two dropped.
Melbourne have made just one change with Aaron Vandenberg out and Matt Jones in.
The key to this match will be restricting North Melbourne’s scoring. They have the third best attack in the competition, averaging 93 points per game. In comparison the Demons average just 71.
If the match goes to a shootout, Melbourne would lose, as they couldn’t match the attack of the Kangaroos. They need to restrict the scoring of the Kangaroos and make it a game where goals become a premium.
If that happens the match will swing towards the Demons.
Contested possessions is also important. The Demons rank better than the Kangaroos in that area and will be looking to make the game full of stoppages.
The Kangaroos, if it becomes open, will use their run to dominate the contest.
This promises to be a fascinating contest. Can Melbourne cause the upset? Or will the Kangaroos march to September continue?
The Kangaroos should win but this will be a close contest.
Prediction – Kangaroos by 12 points.
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