North Melbourne has fallen to Sydney by 42 points in Sunday's clash at Etihad Stadium.
Missing Jarrad Waite in attack, due to a one-week suspension for a dangerous tackle, the Kangaroos' forward line lacked the bite that set up their upset 59-point win over Adelaide in Hobart last weekend.
Lachie Hansen spent time down there alongside Ben Brown, but the two North key forwards managed just three goals between them as the Kangaroos struggled to find a main avenue to goal.
North's midfield also lacked the spread that was so clearly present against the Crows, with Ben Cunnington (27 disposals), Sam Gibson (25) and Jack Ziebell (22) winning a bit of the footy but exerting little influence.
Kangaroos coach Brad Scott was disappointed with his team's ability to nullify Sydney's best ball winners.
"We got obliterated around the ball and then we allowed Sydney to control it (the football)," Scott said.
"There were a few patches of the game where we played it the way we wanted it to be played and the rest, Sydney, to their credit, set it up well – won the ball in the contest and dictated terms.
"It could've been a lot worse to be honest."
Shaun Higgins (21 disposals and six inside 50s) was creative but had few teammates able to produce in similar fashion.
Key defender Robbie Tarrant was probably North's best player, as his ability to hold his own in one-on-one contests against Swans superstar Lance Franklin (who kicked one opportunist goal in the final term) stood out.
Josh Kennedy (37 disposals), Luke Parker (36) and Dan Hannebery were dominant through the midfield for the Swans.
MEDICAL ROOM
North Melbourne: Top draftee Jy Simpkin received treatment on his right shoulder in the first quarter. He returned with his shoulder taped, but it was clear he was not right. The Kangaroos ruled him out of the game late in the second term. Simpkin was seen after the game in a sling, meaning he may miss a significant amount of time.
Sydney: Swans veteran Jarrad McVeigh spent a lot of time forward after appearing to tighten up in the hamstring early in the first quarter. McVeigh had more treatment on his right hamstring at the start of the second term. Defender Nick Smith copped a significant corked leg late in the second term. Ruckman Sam Naismith was also sporting an ice pack on his left knee on the bench in the final term.
NEXT UP
The Swans fly back to Melbourne to face the in-form Saints in what will be an intriguing contest at Etihad Stadium next Saturday. North Melbourne face the Demons, coming off a 41-point win over ladder-leader Adelaide.
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.3 7.5 8.8 11.12 (78)
SYDNEY 5.2 11.7 15.9 18.12 (120)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Turner 2, Brown 2, Goldstein 2, Higgins, Anderson, Cunnington, Hrovat, Hansen
Sydney: Reid 3, Heeney 2, Parker 2, Hannebery 2, McVeigh 2, Papley 2, Jones, Franklin, Hewett, Kennedy, Hayward
BEST
North Melbourne: Cunnington, Higgins, Tarrant, Atley, Turner
Sydney: Kennedy, Parker, Hannebery, Mills, Heeney, Newman, Reid
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Simpkin (right shoulder)
Sydney: McVeigh (right hamstring)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stephens, Ryan, Pannell
Official crowd: 21,589 at Etihad Stadium
