Match result

Collingwood 10.10 70 defeats North Melbourne 9.8 62

In action

AFL-listed
Luke Davies-Uniacke (23 disposals, 6 tackles, 6 clearances, 1 goal), Mitch Hibberd (23 disposals, 12 marks, 9 rebound 50s), Nick Larkey (12 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 goal), Ben McKay (10 disposals), Dan Nielson (15 disposals, 5 marks), Braydon Preuss (15 disposals, 62 hit-outs), Josh Williams (2 disposals - left field early), Gordon Narrier (6 disposals), Declan Mountford (20 disposals, 12 tackles), Oscar Junker (9 disposals, 7 tackles, 1 goal)

VFL-listed
Tom Hotchin (10 disposals), Nick Rippon (31 disposals, 9 tackles, 7 clearances, 1 goal), Ty Leonardis (21 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal), Nash Holmes (20 disposals, 7 tackles, 5 clearances, 1 goal), Steve Stroobants (11 disposals, 3 inside 50s), Chris Jansen (32 disposals, 9 tackles, 8 clearances), Fraser Cameron (13 disposals), Louis Cunningham (13 disposals), Quintin Montanaro (16 disposals, 6 marks), Nick Hogan (13 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal), Matt Northe (18 disposals), Jordan Mangan (2 disposals), Lachlan Mirams (4 disposals, 5 hit-outs)

Story of the game

North Melbourne and Collingwood took part is a seesawing thriller at Avalon Airport Oval.

After trading goals and the lead on an entertaining Sunday afternoon, it was the Pies who picked up premiership points on the road, securing a hard-fought win. 

Returning after three consecutive weeks of travel, North looked determined to continue its impressive form in Werribee, having lost just one since this season at its temporary home.

When Ben Crocker raced towards the goal-square to open the scoring with just over a minute played, that form immediately looked under threat.

A low-scoring game followed, as both sides struggled to get on top of the varying conditions provided by the wind, which blew hard and with no consistency. 

The highest margin of the afternoon was just 14 points, highlighting the closely-contested nature of the game and the competitive spirit offered by both sides.

Despite clawing its way back in the final term after kicking three of the first four goals, North was unable to restore parity as two late efforts from Jarryd Blair and Sean Hetherington gave the Pies a late resurgence. 

VFL coach David Loader concedes that the brave Roos let an opportunity slip.

“They [Collingwood] hit the scoreboard late, there’s no doubt about it,” Loader told North Media.

“We had our opportunities [and] we never had anywhere near the inside 50s they had. We certainly had our chances to score.

“Unfortunately, late in the day we went away from what worked for us early on. Our pressure dropped off a little bit. It’s been a reoccurring thing for us during the year.

“It was eight points at the end of the day, there wasn't much in it.

“We spoke about it after the game. You’ve got to win those games of football, the tight ones, if you want to go on and play finals football.

“Not that we’re looking to play finals football. We’re just worried about improving every game we play, but today was an opportunity for us to win a game of footy

“We’ll go back to the drawing board and review it, then move on to Williamstown next week.”

Best of AFL

Luke Davies-Uniacke
In just his first season in the royal blue and white, Davies-Uniacke has already shown his immense potential.

The 19-year-old showed his strength around the stoppages and continues to garner praise for his ability to influence games across a variety of roles.

Deployed in his familiar midfield role but with the added freedom to roam forward, Davies-Uniacke starred early, getting plenty of the footy.

“I’ve just been an attacking mid and [look to] get forward when I can. I just try to drive the legs through contests and use the ball well,” he told North Media. 

“It was a shame that we couldn't break the eight today, but I have no doubt that the boys will assess from what happened today and get back onto the grind.”

Best of VFL

Nick Rippon
Lauded for his versatility in several roles, Rippon has established himself as a permanent fixture in North’s engine room.

The 24-year-old’s impressive tank was on display at Avalon Airport Oval, filling a plethora of roles across the ground, even venturing forward in several attacking movements.

His best work was shown in two very different positions, firstly in a fluid sequence of eight handballs that drove the ball out of defence in the second term.

However, never one to rest on his laurels, Rippon closed out another workmanlike shift with a consolation goal in the dying seconds.

Talking points

Mastering the wind
Irrespective of direction or end, the wind appeared to have a mind of its own.

This was most evident with a late effort by Oscar Junker, with a shot starting to the left but drifting all the way across the opposite side in flight. 

“It was tricky conditions, there’s no doubt about it,” Loader told North Media.

“It was swirly and it was gusting, it looked like a four-goal wind in minutes then it blew across the ground at times.

“[When kicking] it fell short and then it carried. It was really hard for the guys to judge it. It was the same for both teams, but they adjusted a little bit better to it.”

Maturing back six
Several higher-placed sides have conceded a higher total than North’s emerging backline against Collingwood. 

Boosted by continuity in recent weeks, reliable defensive pillars Dan Nielson, Ben McKay and Mitch Hibberd all contributed in their individual roles.

This didn't go unnoticed, with David Loader praising several members of North’s back six.

“There were some really good positive performances down there,” added Loader.

“Dan Nielson was solid all day, I thought he played really well. Louie Cunningham was terrific down there and again the other boys, Benny McKay and the likes held their own.

“It was a good solid performance from a lot of our defenders.”

Davies-Uniacke’s development
Each time the midfield prospect enters the fray at VFL level, he offers something different.

Davies-Uniacke showed some encouraging signs and in spite of his relative inexperience, he displays maturity beyond his years when disposing the footy around contests.

“Luke looked really dangerous for us early I thought,” Loader said. 

“He’s got some real attributes, which we love seeing. As he matures and keeps playing games of football, he’s going to get better and better.

“It was pleasing again to watch Luke play today.”