Ben Brown has powered North Melbourne to its first victory of the season, booting six goals to lead his side to a well-earned 52-point victory over a disappointing St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Good Friday.
After an ugly first half, which yielded just four goals and 20 behinds combined between the two sides, Brown – who had just two kicks to half-time – sprung to life to be the difference in what had been a dour contest.
While the Tasmanian was the catalyst for the impressive win on a day that North Melbourne is trying to make its own, Brad Scott's unit booted the last seven goals of the match to claim the 13.17 (95) to 5.13 (43) victory.
North Melbourne, a team known to be in a rebuilding phase, booted 11 goals to St Kilda's three after the major break, outworking its much-fancied opponent on the spread and around the contest.
North played with dare and took the game on in the second half, while St Kilda, a team many previously considered a contender for finals, faltered and fluffed around with the footy.
Shaun Higgins (24 disposals and nine inside 50s) led from the front in this area and his ability to set up the play forward of centre underlined his class.
Billy Hartung provided much-needed overlap run and finished the game with an equal team-high 24 possessions, while Jamie Macmillan (15 touches) was steadfast in defence and was as influential as any player in the Kangaroos' win.
After being minus-20 in contested possessions against Gold Coast in a water-logged Cairns last Saturday night, the Roos thrived in that category on a dry track, smashing the Saints, who pride themselves in this area, in tight (150-119).
Brad Scott would have also been pleased with top draft pick Luke Davies-Uniacke's third term, with the youngster demonstrating his talent around in congestion.
Jimmy Webster (30 touches and eight rebound 50s) was easily the Saints' best player in the way he was able to pierce kicks through the middle of the ground, but unfortunately for Alan Richardson's team that boldness was shared by few others.
Midfielder Jack Steven got off the chain in the first half after the Roos decided to send tagger Ben Jacobs to Seb Ross instead of the Saints' firestarter, but North made the change at half-time and Steven was well contained after that. He was still one of the Saints' best with 26 disposals, while David Armitage (27 touches) also tried hard for his side.
St Kilda's tall forward line failed to fire and booted just five goals for the match, with Richardson sure to look at how his side structures up ahead of the footy.
Tall forward Paddy McCartin was also reported for rough conduct on North's Trent Dumont, although he may escape with a fine after looking at the match is reviewed.
NORTH MELBOURNE 0.6 2.10 6.16 13.17 (95)
ST KILDA 1.2 2.10 5.11 5.13 (43)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Brown 6, Waite, Anderson, Turner, Hrovat, Hartung, Jacobs, Cunnington
St Kilda: Carlisle, Gresham, Steele, Steven, Acres
BEST
North Melbourne: Brown, Higgins, Jacobs, Macmillan, Waite, Hartung, Ziebell, Thompson
St Kilda: Webster, Steven, Armitage, Geary, Savage
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Cunnington (hip)
St Kilda: Longer (groin)
Reports: Paddy McCartin (St Kilda) reported for rough conduct on Trent Dumont (North Melbourne).
Umpires: Hay, Williamson, McInerney
Official crowd: 33,966 at Etihad Stadium
