For so much of the night, North Melbourne carried out its game plan to perfection.
Hawthorn, so used to dictating the tempo of games to its opponents, simply couldn’t get its hands on the ball.
The Kangaroos restricted the Hawks to just 270 disposals. To provide some context, its previous lowest for the season was 314.
It meant North was able to play the game on its terms and it was reflected in general play for the first quarter.
Eight scoring shots to three meant a 15-point lead at the first break, but with North registering 20 inside 50’s, it should have been an even bigger advantage on the scoreboard.
Nevertheless the midfield was on top, but the missed chances continued throughout the match.
North’s final tally of 11.18 was its most wasteful of the year, strangely coming just a week after it kicked 12.2 against Geelong.
The main culprit was set shots. The Roos finished with 5.6 from the area after kicking 10.1 against the Cats.
In the post-match media conference, Brad Scott suggested work had to be done on generating ‘quality’ shots. Of the 11 set shots that scored against the Hawks, six of them were from more than 40 metres out.
In a promising sign after some down weeks on the scoreboard, the tall forwards were dangerous once again against Hawthorn.
Drew Petrie kicked three goals, while Ben Brown’s 1.3 was a rare off night for him in front of the sticks.
Majak Daw’s fourth quarter cameo as a midfielder helped turned momentum back North’s way, and it offers interesting possibilities for the future.
Although Andrew Swallow and Ben Cunnington were missing, Trent Dumont stood up with his 24 disposals and seven clearances while playing on Sam Mitchell, showing North does possess impressive inside midfield depth.
Next up is an Adelaide side which has improved significantly in the month of football before its bye. It means another strong test for the Kangaroos before they have a week off of their own.
Stats leaders
Disposals: 30 – Wells
Goals: 3 – Thomas, Petrie
Tackles: 7 – Dumont, Gibson
Rebound 50’s: 7 – Tarrant
Inside 50’s: 7 – Wells
Clearances: 9 – Wells
