1. An irresistible force shifts an immovable object
It was the AFL's most dangerous attacking side taking on the stingiest defence, and North Melbourne's greater firepower just got the job done in an engrossing contest. While the Roos had the answers and grabbed the four points, the understrength Dogs would have taken plenty out of belief from being the only side to restrict the unbeaten Kangas, averaging 122 points a game, to less than 100 points this year. Losing three elite kicks from defence stifled the Bullies' ball movement and they struggled to hit the scoreboard, but they lost no friends, despite falling to just their second defeat from the past 15 games under the roof.
2. Worth his Waite in gold
He's 33, but Jarrad Waite is running around like a man a decade younger and it must be a dagger to the hearts of Carlton supporters. The once enigmatic and injury-riddled forward looked destined never to reach his peak, but suddenly he's the equal Coleman Medal leader (22 goals) with a new lease on his football life. Waite's first of four majors against the Dogs – off a step from deep in the pocket – was the kick of a man whose confidence is sky-high, his third from 55m came against the flow at a crucial time and his fourth from a brilliant pack mark gave the Roos breathing space in the frantic last term. The big man was the difference.
3. Friday night's all right, now what about Good Friday?
North is campaigning hard to feature in Good Friday football and, based on this offering, a clash with the Bulldogs would be a worthy marquee fixture. The top-of-the-table contest between the Etihad Stadium co-tenants delivered, despite not being the shootout some predicted. It was the first time since 2001 that the Roos and Dogs had met on a Friday night, and the first appearance at all for the boys from the west for four long years. The fans – all 47,622 of them - voted with their feet in another reminder we want the best teams, not just the 'big' clubs playing Friday night footy.
4. Bulldog butchery takes a toll
Bob Murphy, Jason Johannisen and Matt Suckling's injuries have robbed the Dogs of three razor-sharp kicks from half-back and it was always likely to pose a problem against the Kangas' immense forward pressure. The signs were ominous early when stand-in Bulldogs skipper Easton Wood drilled a wobbly pass straight onto Todd Goldstein's chest, while Koby Stevens bit off more than he could chew going inboard for another costly turnover – this time a goal to Shaun Higgins. The Dogs struggled to move the ball fluently and Luke Beveridge will have to go back to the drawing board to find an answer until reinforcements arrive.
