On paper, it indicates relatively comfortable victories for the Kangaroos. However, what it doesn’t show is how tight each game was until well into the second half.
Round 2, 2014
- 11 minute mark, final term: North leads by three points
- Final winning margin: 29 points
Round 7, 2013
- Two minute mark, final term: North leads by 13 points
- Final winning margin: 54 points
Round 19, 2012
- 19 minute mark, third term: North leads by 12 points
- Final winning margin: 54 points
A common thread in each game has been North’s increased scoring power in the second half. When all three games are combined, the Kangaroos have scored 17 goals before half-time, compared to 35 after the long break.
Unsurprisingly, the offensive explosion in the third and fourth quarters has been due to increased efficiency when entering the forward 50.
When combining all the inside 50 entries and scores from the three games, North registered a scoring shot 48.8 per cent of the time. As a point of comparison, here’s how that number looks against the top side in the statistic for each of the last three completed seasons.
| Team, Year | Scores per inside 50% |
| North v Bulldogs, last three second halves | 48.8% |
| Hawthorn, 2013 | 43.8% |
| Hawthorn, 2012 | 44.6% |
| Carlton, 2011 | 42.6% |
Clearly the forward setup has worked well against the Bulldogs, but a large part of it has been down to the delivery from further up the field.
After half-time, North’s disposal efficiency has shot up to an extremely good rate - one which would rank as an AFL high if extended over a whole season.
Across the league, the average disposal efficiency has been approximately 72 per cent over the last three seasons. In each of the last three second halves against the Bulldogs, North has blown that figure out of the water.
| Game | Disposal efficiency |
| Round 2, 2014 | 78.3% |
| Round 7, 2013 | 77.8% |
| Round 19, 2012 | 80.4% |
Not only has North’s disposal efficiency and scoring inside 50 improved in second halves, it has also spent a significant amount of time in possession of the Sherrin.
Normally over a full game, having two to three minutes more in possession is a substantial difference, enough to play a large part in the result.
For example, the sides with the leading differential this year are Port Adelaide and Richmond; both spending two minutes and 40 seconds more in possession per game.
In the last three second halves against the Bulldogs, North has exceeded that number comfortably.
| Game | Time in possession, second half |
| Round 2, 2014 | +4min:58sec |
| Round 7, 2013 | +5min:29sec |
| Round 19, 2012 | +5min:45sec |
The combination of extra time in possession, increased disposal efficiency and scoring regularly once inside 50 has propelled North to three straight victories against the Bulldogs.
