It starts with the scoring shots conceded. Much like last week, the Kangaroos forced their opponents to take tough shots on goal.
Essendon took 10 of its 24 scoring shots from outside 40 metres, while the Bulldogs kicked five of their eight goals from similar distances.
In addition to the long-range goals, North allowed Brendan McCartney’s team very few scoring shots from what Champion Data terms as ‘the corridor’ within 40 metres, as the chart below indicates.
The proof of the better defensive effort is evident on the scoreboard – conceding just 54 points. In Brad Scott’s 91 games at North Melbourne, it ranks equal-fifth for fewest points conceded in a game.
North’s defensive efficiency of only 57 – was also an extremely low number and one that would comfortably lead the competition over a full season.
Without opening old wounds, North conceding time-on scores late in final terms proved extremely costly in several games in 2013.
While it is still a small sample size, the tide appears to be turning. In time-on of the last quarter in both games, North is still yet to concede a single scoring shot.
Considering the two matches this year have been in vastly different situations at the beginning of time-on, it’s still a way off being a consistently strong part of North’s game, but the improvement is there.
After Round 1, NMFC.com.au noted the early trend for the use of the interchange was to increase rotations in the middle part of each quarter.
However, in the season-opener there were only 87 total interchanges – this number was bumped right up to 115 against the Bulldogs. Meanwhile, the usage of the bench continued to spike during the middle of terms.
| NMFC time of interchange | 0-10 minutes | 10-20 minutes | 20+ minutes |
| Round 1 | 25 | 37 | 25 |
| Round 2 | 32 | 46 | 37 |
Greenwood v Griffen
While Ryan Griffen was noticeably underdone in his first game of the season, the North midfield would have undoubtedly been on high alert when he ventured into the centre square to begin the last quarter.
Levi Greenwood had just entered the field as the substitute and was given the task of playing head-to-head with the Bulldogs’ captain.
He excelled, winning 13 possessions and kicking an important goal. Meanwhile, Griffen collected only five possessions for the quarter.
Looking ahead to Port Adelaide this Sunday, the Power have an army of impressive midfield runners all in great form to begin the year. Greenwood may be required to play an important role.
