Sitting 7-4 at the halfway point of the season, North Melbourne is sixth on the ladder after Sunday’s 54-point win over Brisbane.
The victory made it three in a row for the Roos; the first time since 2016, and the media are starting to pencil in a finals berth.
Herald Sun
"They are in the deep September conversation after yet another comprehensive victory.
“No team would be confident against the Kangas right now because their balance of offence and defence is potent and they deserve to be in the premiership chat.” - Mark Robinson
Herald Sun
“Can North Melbourne win the premiership? It is a question worth asking.
“At the halfway mark of the season Brad Scott’s team sits 7-4 with a monster percentage.
“With that record it would be disrespectful to discount the Kangas.
“Players are instructed to only ever look as far as the next week, but surely Scott has privately wondered whether that is a platform for a top-four finish.
“The Roos don’t appear on the Friday night stage in 2018 but in the early Sunday slot they displayed a killer edge, smashing the Brisbane Lions by 54 points at Etihad Stadium.” - Sam Landsberger
Midfielder Shaun Higgins received much of the praise, following his career-high 38 disposals, 26 of which were in the first half when the game was there to be won.
The Age
“Shaun Higgins and Luke McDonald were outstanding and set up the victory with blistering first halves.
“Thanks largely to their superior work at the stoppages, and Higgins and McDonald having 14 and 11 touches in the first term respectively, the Kangaroos blitzed the Lions and held them to their fourth goalless opening quarter of the year.
“Higgins finished up with 38 disposals (12 contested), six clearances, seven inside 50s and a goal while McDonald compiled 34 touches, six inside 50s and two goals.” - Ronny Lerner
AFL.com.au
“North club champion Shaun Higgins ran rampant, winning 26 of his career-high 38 possessions (12 contested) in the opening half and adding six clearances, seven inside 50s and 10 score involvements.
“The 30-year-old matched his previous best of 36 disposals by three-quarter time in a spectacular performance of hard running and clean skills.” - Marc McGowan
SEN
“Absolute credit to Higgins.
“It’s all good and well because most players don’t get tagged these days – midfielders do what they want.
“You then have to take advantage of it and he took advantage of it in the most spectacular way.
“He had 26 disposals to half-time and the game was over – he was the main man.
“He’d be nearly the first player in the competition where you would say: ‘left to his own devices, he’s going to hurt you.’” - Garry Lyon
Fox Footy
“He’s in supreme form, we know his story well, he was a promising player at the Bulldogs, had a gluttony of injuries but he’s just found real top level footy with the Roos and now consistently with the Roos.” - Anthony Hudson
Fox Footy
“He’s in career best form.
“He always had this form in him but was cruel by multiple injuries.
“He’s gone to North Melbourne and given it his absolute best.” - Bob Murphy
Herald Sun
“Shaun Higgins racked up 22 handball receives and had maximum Brownlow votes in the bag by half-time.
“How was he possibly afforded so much space? Higgins cashed in with 38 disposals, six clearances and seven inside 50s.
“Most of those entries were at the quality you’d expect from an All-Australian contender.” - Sam Landsberger
With Higgins running hot, having the likes of Ben Cunnington, Luke McDonald and Todd Goldstein also firing gave North dominance through the midfield.
The Age
“Ben Cunnington (28 disposals, 18 contested possessions and 10 clearances) was also a key to the result while Paul Ahern (29 disposals) made up for lost time in his long-awaited debut.” - Ronny Lerner
AFL.com.au
“Midfield beast Ben Cunnington (18 of 28 possessions contested) wonderfully complemented Higgins with another masterclass, while debutant Paul Ahern (29) made an instant impression.
“Luke McDonald also cashed in on the Lions misery, setting a new personal best with 34 disposals and 702 metres gained, and Todd Goldstein won the ruck battle over Stefan Martin and Oscar McInerney.” - Marc McGowan
AFL.com.au
“Up against the talented Stefan Martin, he had the best of the ruck duels, particularly early when the heat was on.
“By half-time, he had the clear edge in hit-outs 17-12 and was more dangerous around the ground. Martin fought back in the second half, but you'd give Goldstein the honours.” - Ashley Browne
On a lighter note, Sam Wright’s miracle goal had commentators wonder how something like that was possible, especially from a defender.
Herald Sun
“When Sam Wright kicked one of the goals of the year, laying on his backside about 8m out, the Roos led by 50 points before time-on in the second quarter.” - Sam Landsberger
The Age
“Unfortunately for the Lions, the Kangaroos found their radar in the second period, booting 7.2 to 3.4 - including a goal of the year contender from Sam Wright who, while lying on his back after being tackled by Oscar McInerney, managed to fling his right boot at the ball - to extend their lead to 55 points at half-time.” - Ronny Lerner
AFL.com.au
“In the second quarter, he was flat on his back in the goal square, but somehow put the ball to boot, swing his leg over and the ball went through the goals.
“And it was his first AFL goal since the same round three years ago. He also popped through a second later on. Remarkable.” - Ashley Browne
Wright wasn’t the only unlikely player to hit scoreboard, with the Roos boasting 14 goal-scorers, a sign of its offensive efficiency.
Herald Sun
“At that stage the Kangas had generated 23 inside 50s for 19 scores. Every time they entered they looked dangerous.
“There was open space and often open teammates literally queuing up.” - Sam Landsberger
AFL.com.au
“Fourteen North players kicked goals, including Sam Wright enjoying his first two since 2015 and Robbie Tarrant slotting just his third in five seasons since permanently going down back.” - Marc McGowan
