It was a win that seemed unlikely with one minute remaining, but an impressive transition from defence to attack resulting in a Jack Ziebell match-winner, secured the four points for North Melbourne.
The elation amongst the players was evident in their post-game media commentary, with many relieved to walk away with the victory after being on the wrong end of several narrow losses last season.
Shaun Higgins - Channel 7
“We’ll take the four points, the first half didn’t go to plan, but to fight back with the young group that we have is really pleasing.”
Watch Shaun Higgins interview on Channel 7 HERE.
Ben Brown - ABC Grandstand
“It was an amazing feeling ... to scrape a win at the end of day feels amazing.
“It shows the resolve of the group we’ve built over the past year or so with the team we’ve got.”
Listen to Ben Brown's interview on ABC Grandstand here:
Majak Daw - Channel 9
“It was a gutsy win, we didn’t know which way it was going to go.
“It went right down to the wire, but I guess it was one of those games that the fans wanted to come and watch, and we’re happy that we were on the right end of it.”
The final passage of play will be remembered for a long time to come.
Shaun Higgins - Channel 7
“We wanted to get the ball going forward, we wanted to put them under the pump inside 50."
Ben Brown - ABC Grandstand
“I got the ball over from Higgo, I let it bounce on the ground and I thought, ‘Oh no! What’s going to happen here?’ but I was lucky I saw Ziebs [Jack Ziebell] ahead of me because I kind of wasn’t sure whether I’d be able to pick-up the ball.
“I was pretty tired towards the end of the game, so I was happy Ziebs was there in the goal square.”
Jack Ziebell - 3AW
“Fortunately it landed in my hands and I could put it through to get us over the line.”
Listen to Jack Ziebell's interview on 3AW here:
The result sparked exciting scenes in the private locker room with loud music and lots of shouting.
Shaun Higgins - Channel 7
“It’s none of my doing but the young boys love it. You’ve got to try and celebrate the win, you normally get five minutes to do it, so the
boys make the most of it.”
Jack Ziebell - 3AW
“It’s not just after this win...it’s something we do every win.
“It probably came about because last year we didn’t get too many wins and we thought we should enjoy them when we get them.
“In the AFL they’re hard to get, so it’s just something little we do for five minutes before we have to start thinking about next week which is good for the boys.”
There were many strong contributors, but Majak Daw received much of the praise for what is being considered as his best quarter of football ever.
Shaun Higgins - Channel 7
“I thought he was really good.
“He was out position a lot, but the great think about Maj was when he is out of position, he’s so big and jumps a mile which allows him to come through and be aggressive, which we love.”
Ben Brown - ABC Grandstand
“The way Maj floats across and marks the ball, he’s making it a bit of a trademark for himself.”
Jack Ziebell - 3AW
“He probably kept us in the game with a few of his intercept marks and if he can’t mark it, he thumps it 30 metres and that’s what you want from your key defender.
“It’s pretty cool to see when he gets the ball one-on-one and takes-off off [from] half-back there aren’t many who can catch him either, so with those attributes he can become a really talented player for us.”
As far as Daw is concerned, his improvement is all about those around him.
Majak Daw - Channel 9
“Having guys like Scott Thompson, Robbie Tarrant and Jamie Macmillan have been important in my development this year.
“Having that spot I can make my own, working with my backline coach Josh Drummond, having continuity with my training and having a big pre-season is why I’m able to come and impact the game.”
Veteran midfield Shaun Higgins has also been heralded for his heroics, producing another impressive game in what is undoubtedly a career-best season.
Ben Brown - ABC Grandstand
“Higgo’s been outstanding all year.
“To individualise a little bit, he’s obviously been one of our star players and he’s been tagged most weeks this season, but managed to fight through really well.”
Majak Daw - Channel 9
“They came after him at stages during the game, there was a lot of passion in it, but we looked after him and he’s one of those resilient players that can just work through it and get the job done.”
Jack Ziebell - 3AW
“A part of the way we’re going is because of the way he’s going because he gets us going on the inside.
“Higgo’s class really stands-out with his ball-use and his ability to go forward and hit the scoreboard.
“He’s having some sort of year, and if he’s not in the All-Australian team at the moment I’m not sure what he’d have to do to get him in there.”
Shaun Higgins - Channel 7
“It’s nice to contribute. I’m feeling good with my body, had a really good pre-season and I feel like I was building in the second half of last year with a new role on-ball, but I’m just enjoying being a part of this group.
“I’m getting a good run at it at the moment, so hopefully I make the most of it.”
