North Melbourne’s VFL side has defeated Footscray by 18 points in sweltering heat in their final pre-season hitout before the 2024 campaign.
The Roos got off to a quick start at Mission Whitten Oval led by veteran Hugh Greenwood, who slotted the first goal of the game which set the tone for North Melbourne's 11.8 (74) to 9.2 (56) win.
Playing a mix of deep forward and ruck, he went onto kick four for the afternoon, putting his hand up for a potential spot in the senior side's Round 1 line-up in the process.
Following Greenwood's opener, big man Hamish Free hit the scoreboard with two quick, small forward-like goals as he tallied the minutes in his first hit-out against external opposition.
The Dogs hit back after an exciting first quarter for the Roos though, slamming on seven unanswered goals in the second term, assisted by the strong breeze at Mission Whitten Oval.
However, a dominant Greenwood helped wrestle the lead back, kicking two of his four goals in the third quarter.
Young ruck Taylor Goad and midfielders Jack Watkins, Cooper Lord and Kade De La Rue were all strong in the midfield - tackling well, winning clearances, and driving the ball deep into forward 50.
Curtis Taylor got more involved as the match progressed and converted a set shot after reining in a pack mark during the third quarter, while Luke McDonald was clean coming out of defence and asserted himself physically around the ground.
Working alongside the AFL co-captain was Aidan Corr and new-look defender Charlie Comben who were both forceful in the air and were crucial in securing the win.
Forward Sam Lowson produced plenty of energy inside attacking 50 and managed to hit the scoreboard to get his side going in the second half.
After his four-goal haul against Sandringham last week, Eddie Ford spent time in a handful of positions, grabbing touches down forward, on the wing, and in defence throughout stages.
Like Free, defender Jackson Archer played his first minutes of 2024 against non-club opposition. He featured in the first half before completing a block of running and sitting out the second half as planned.
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 1.0 7.0 7.2 9.2 (56)
NORTH MELBOURNE 5.5 5.5 10.7 11.8 (74)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Greenwood 4, Free 3, Smith, Wynd, Lowson, Taylor
