North continue to prove it is capable of taking-on the game’s toughest challenges, after becoming the first ever Victorian side to win at Optus Stadium.
In Todd Goldstein’s 200th game, the young Roos defeated Fremantle by 28 points, which moved the club to fifth on the ladder.
After equalling its number of wins in 2017 after just ten rounds, the media continues to be impressed with North’s performance in the opening two-and-a-half months.
The Age
“North Melbourne have capped off a terrific month of football with a 28-point win over Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Sunday.” - Brad Elborough
Herald Sun
“We look for legitimacy by the week and North Melbourne over the past four weeks have beaten Sydney, GWS, Fremantle and pushed Richmond to 10 points.
“That’s legitimate. Make no mistake, beating the Dockers away is a significant victory. [There is] so much to like about North.” - Mark Robinson
SEN
“I got them wrong. Team of the year North Melbourne for mine right now.
“Fifth on the AFL ladder, I think we need a session of saying I was wrong.” - Garry Lyon
Fox Sports
“These Kangaroos look like a finals side.
“And they’re placed like it, just outside of the top four with 10 rounds of the season completed.” - Max Laughton
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the visiting side, which kicked the opening six points of the match before the home side scored the first major.
A number of forwards were responsible for turning the Roos’ fortunes around, making the most of their opportunities in the remaining three quarters.
The Age
“Poor goal kicking was the initial problem they had to overcome.
“Midway through the second quarter they trailed the home side by 12 points with a scoreline of 4.4 to 1.10.
“There was no single culprit, and some of the misses were from very gettable set shots.” - Brad Elborough
Perth Now
“The Kangas were their own worst enemy throughout the first half as they wasted a series of chances on goal, beginning with six behinds in the first six minutes of the match.
“Their tally read a dismal 1.10 early in the second term, before Jy Simpkin, Jacobs and Kayne Turner provided three goals in the space of three minutes to change the complexion of the game.
“Jarrad Waite’s three goals, all coming in the second half, were worth their weight in gold as they helped the Roos pull clear in a niggly contest.” - Braden Quartermaine
AFL.com.au
“Coleman Medal leader Ben Brown was well held by Joel Hamling but still booted two important second-half goals, however veteran Jarrad Waite (three) was the difference.
“The 35-year-old slotted two crucial majors during a wet third term, guiding the Roos to a handy 11-point advantage at the final change.” - Travis King
In the midfield, it was the battle between Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe and the competition’s best tagger, Ben Jacobs, that caught people’s attention.
AFL.com.au
“Having claimed the scalps of several prime movers, Jacobs looked set to have his colours lowered when Fyfe notched 13 disposals, nine contested possessions, two tackles and four clearances in the first quarter.
“But the 26-year-old changed tack and went about winning his own ball on the way to a near-best-on-ground performance.
“Jacobs muted Fyfe's cleanliness at stoppages before finishing with 29 disposals, 18 contested possessions, nine tackles and four clearances.” - Rory Coleman-Heard
AFL.com.au
“Tagger Ben Jacobs was outstanding for the Roos, bouncing back after Dockers superstar Nat Fyfe (31, eight clearances) took him to the cleaners in the opening quarter.
“Fyfe racked up 13 disposals, four clearances and booted a goal before quarter-time but Jacobs limited the Brownlow Medal favourite's influence from then onwards, and hurt the Freo skipper the other way, finishing with 29 disposals, nine tackles and a goal.” - Travis King
Perth Now
“Tagger Ben Jacobs and Brownlow Medallist Fyfe shared the points after an enthralling duel, each strong contributors.
“Fyfe finished with a game-high 31 touches, eight clearances and a goal, while Jacobs had 29 touches of his own to go with nine tackles and a goal.” - Braden Quartermaine
The win meant that little bit more to ruckman Todd Goldstein who, as he has for many years, had a fascinating battle with Aaron Sandilands.
The Age
“The Roos ruckman, in his 200th game, battled as manfully as any can against Aaron Sandilands and benefited from the giant Docker being sidelined with a suspected concussion for the latter parts of the game.” - Brad Elborough
