While there are many reasons why this can happen, NMFC Playbook shows the fine line between getting it right and what can happen if it goes wrong.
Early in the second quarter Collingwood has possession on its half-back line. North shuts down one side of the ground and the Magpies move the ball inboard.
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Chris Dawes marks and looks to complete a switch to the opposite wing. Paul Seedsman has made a move and finds some space.
Drew Petrie realises the danger and gets across, managing to force the ball to ground. Meanwhile, Brent Harvey recognises the ball is now in dispute. He has a split second decision to make; does he play it safe and stick with his opponent Dayne Beams, or get to the contest and give North a two-on-one?
If Harvey chooses to go to the contest but doesn't get there before Seedsman gains possession, he would be left stranded with Beams alone 60 metres out from goal.
Harvey goes to the contest.
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Luckily Petrie wins the one-on-one and now has Harvey in a prime position for a handball receive. The risk has paid off and the midfielder has plenty of space to work in and launch a forward attack.
However just as frequently in this type of situation, the ball will swing the other way and the opposition, in this case Beams, will waltz into an open goal. When that happens, there can often be calls from the outer to 'man up', but in reality it was a split second decision.
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This time, Harvey handballs to Liam Anthony who looks into the forward 50 for a target.
Lindsay Thomas has stolen a couple of metres on Harry O'Brien and is leading towards the pocket. Robbie Tarrant is also in the vicinity defended by Ben Reid and another split second decision is made.
Does Tarrant continue on his path towards the pocket or does he change paths towards the middle? He chooses the latter and the effect is two-fold. Not only does he give Anthony another option, he also forces Reid away from the Thomas lead and stops him from potentially cutting the pass off.
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Now in space, Thomas ends up drawing a free-kick from O'Brien and ends up kicking the first of five successive North Melbourne goals.
It's a play where any little miscue or bad bounce could have resulted in an opposition goal, yet it resulted in an incredible spark for the Roos allowing them to run away with the victory.
