For North Melbourne, scoring from stoppages and contested possessions loom as the most intriguing parts of the game.
Here are the raw numbers for both statistics in wins and losses.
| Total differential | Scores from stoppages | Contested possessions |
| Wins | +58 | +21 |
| Losses | -47 | -66 |
Often the two go hand-in-hand – to win a stoppage in the first place, a team has to get their hands on the contested ball. With the side having played on three different grounds in the first five games, the data takes in a variety of different conditions.
After winning the ball from the stoppage, ball use is always of importance. However while a side will always turn it over during games, what is more important to the result of a game is how it defends those turnovers.
While North has generally been very good in defending after turning the ball over - ranked fourth in fewest points conceded – a deeper look reveals a disparity between the wins and losses.
In wins, North is excellent at minimising damage from its mistakes. It concedes 53.8 points per 100 turnovers, a rate which would comfortably have it leading the competition if replicated over a whole season.
However in losses the Kangaroos comes back to the pack. While it’s still defending at a respectable rate (81.4 points per 100 turnovers), it’s a difference of almost five goals.
The key point which shouldn’t be glossed over is the significant improvement defending turnovers on the whole this season. During 2013, North defended at a rate similar to its 2014 losses consistently.
| Points conceded per 100 turnovers | |
| 2014 wins | 53.8 |
| 2014 losses | 81.4 |
| 2013 | 83.7 |
As the side adds an extra defensive emphasis, an area of play that’s changed has been the time in forward half.
Last year it was customary for North to spend large periods of time camped in its attacking half and have a possession edge. So far in 2014 that hasn’t been the case, but the first five rounds have revealed Brad Scott’s team getting stronger as the match progresses, particularly in wins.
The time in forward half in the third and fourth quarters has significantly lifted against the Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and Sydney. In the losses to Essendon and Collingwood it has stayed at a similar level to the first half.
| Time in forward half (%) | 1st quarter | 2nd quarter | 3rd quarter | 4th quarter |
| Wins | 43.5 | 45.6 | 55.8 | 52.7 |
| Losses | 47.5 | 40.7 | 46.8 | 45.5 |
As the side continues to familiarise itself with a new style, further trends will become apparent. However at this stage, a 3-2 record after a tricky start has North in good shape.
