North Melbourne has gone down to Geelong by 24 points in a rollercoaster clash at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
The Cats shook off the Roos' best efforts at causing a monumental upset, registering their fourth consecutive victory in an entertaining and fast-paced battle.
North Melbourne was fiercely competitive for much of the contest and it did a good job of matching the physicality of the Cats, but in the end the class and experience of Geelong, along with its accuracy in front of the big sticks, was telling in the 16.8 (104) to 11.14 (80) win.
The top-of-the-ladder Cats responded to fierce challenges from the Kangaroos in pulsating third and fourth terms, before reassuming control and running out 24-point winners as Gary Ablett again assumed his role as the ultimate closer.
Ablett (four goals) was influential with his outstanding finishing ability coming to the fore, although he may again be looked at by the Match Review Officer for a high hit on Roo Sam Wright.
After a tardy start that saw the Cats being outplayed by their opponents in many areas, Geelong appeared to be cruising when Gryan Miers extended the margin to 34 points at the 14-minute mark of the third quarter.
But that's when the Roos found their voice, booting four straight goals – three to Ben Brown and one to Cameron Zurhaar – to close the gap to just 10 points.
Shaun Higgins gathered 31 touches and seven clearances, while Brown got the better of Mark Blicavs the longer the game went in bagging five majors.
As North Melbourne frittered away chances to get back into the game in the final term, Geelong made its count with Ablett kicking back-to-back goals to put the game to bed.
MEDICAL ROOM
North Melbourne: The Roos appeared to get through the game unscathed.
Geelong: Tom Atkins came from the ground in the second quarter and spent a lot of time off the field with injury. Tom Stewart was assessed for concussion in the third term after a heavy hit, but returned later in the term. Gary Rohan was knocked out after a clash of heads with Sam Durdin late in the third term and did not return.
NEXT UP
Geelong will return home for a clash against the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium. The Roos will travel down to Hobart to face Sydney at Blundstone Arena.
NORTH MELBOURNE 1.5 4.8 9.8 11.14 (80)
GEELONG 3.0 8.3 14.6 16.7 (103)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Brown 5, Larkey, Zurhaar, Polec, Wood, Thomas, Higgins
Geelong: Hawkins 4, Ablett 4, Kelly 2, Clark 2, Rohan, Miers, Dahlhaus, Dangerfield
BEST
North Melbourne: Cunnington, Higgins, Brown, Atley, Macmillan, Goldstein
Geelong: Kelly, Ablett, Duncan, Guthrie, Hawkins, Stewart, Taylor
INJURIES
North Melbourne: TBC
Geelong: Rohan (concussion), Stewart (neck), Atkins (hamstring)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Brown, Whetton, Ryan
Official crowd: TBC at Marvel Stadium
