A five-goal third term from Ben Brown has inspired North Melbourne to a 43-point win over an understrength Greater Western Sydney in Hobart.
Kept scoreless in Saturday afternoon’s first half, Brown starred in the ‘premiership quarter’, as the Kangaroos powered home to a 17.10 (112) to 9.15 (69) victory.
The Tasmanian native, who extended his lead in the race for the Coleman Medal, was supported by a four-goal haul from veteran Jarrad Waite.
In a match that swung towards whoever had the breeze, North Melbourne opened up a 33-point lead heading into the last quarter.
GWS had the wind behind them in the final term at Blundstone Arena but couldn’t track the Roos down.
The win backs up North Melbourne’s strong showing last weekend against Richmond and strengthens their top-eight claims.
They were stronger in the clearances, while Shaun Higgins finished with a game-high 28 touches.
Waite – a last-minute inclusion after overcoming a corked hip – was in the thick of the action early.
He kicked three goals for the opening quarter, opening a 34-11 lead at the first break.
The Giants grabbed the momentum in the second quarter, kicking four-straight goals and hitting lead midway through the term.
Mason Wood nabbed a goal with his first touch to help GWS to a slender 52-47 advantage at halftime.
Brown had been kept quiet by the returning Tim Mohr but put his stamp on the match with back-to-back goals to open the third quarter.
He put the exclamation mark on a dominant quarter with his fifth moments before the siren, giving the Kangaroos a 92-59 lead.
Trent Dumont landed a crucial first blow for North against the wind in the last term before the Giants fell away.
GWS again struggled to convert their chances without a host of key players including co-captain Phil Davis, Josh Kelly and Brett Deledio.
Stephen Coniglio led the touches for GWS with 25, while Jacob Hopper was also strong.
Kk
Guest
The thing is GWS are missing their two best players that can hurt the opposition in Greene and Kelly. Also the lack of speed without Scully, Williams, Kennedy and Deledio is starting to show. Throw in Davis in a lockdown role and Waite might have only kicked one instead of four goals. North may still have won but the result would have been much closer.
The Finger
Guest
Shinboner spirit seems to be back for the Kangas! Good result for footy!! I seriously wish that Tassie had a side based there. They need a Docklands type undercover stadium to try and offset the weather and bring more fans in. (Yeah, I know it’s expensive - and only a small crowd attended to watch the game, but the weather conditions were challenging). Tasmania deserves a side based there. They have contributed so many great champions to the game (Baldock, Hart, Hudson, Brown etc etc) that they deserve fairer consideration than the AFL just turning their backs on Tassie in favour of creating new afl clubs in predominantly rugby states. No, I’m not from Tasmania..... nor do I barrack for the Kangas! But, I believe in a fair go!
Perry Bridge
Guest
It's easy to write off the Giants as being under manned - however they still have serious talent out there and the way North saw off their best efforts and then ran away with it was a professional job done. Wonder what might have happened had the Giants been a little more efficient in the first half but that 3rd term by North was superb - 7.3 to 1.1 against quality opposition (who were in front).
Kaniel Outis
Guest
Underestimate North at your peril. Great win.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
That was a fight. GWS went hard. North Melbourne had to go all the way.
Rooboy
Guest
Cameron’s brainsnap jolt on JMac, taking Lobb’s gimme shot off him was a handy reversal for us!
Birdman
Guest
Tassie legend. Hard to dislike Benny - nice guy and serious talent.
Rissole
Guest
I have hated North Melbourne with much passion since the 1990s so it feels really strange to have so much love for Benny Brown. It's intensified this year with Daniher on the fritz.
Kangajets
Guest
A win for the good guys
RooBoy18
Guest
Big Ben does it again for North. He is starting to resemble Carey in the 90s in how the team rides with his success.This was an important win coming after we went so close to toppling Richmond last week. Also, GWS had all the momentum at one stage and were threatening to go 3 goals ahead. Things are starting to fall into place nicely for North. Go the Roos!