After a disappointing second quarter, North Melbourne led Carlton by just 11 points deep into time-on of the third term.

Little more than 20 minutes of play later, the lead was 61 points and the game was over. An eight goal burst, while the Blues were held scoreless, allowed North to register its fourth successive victory and gain precious percentage along the way.

The period of play was highlighted by incredible efficiency going forward. The Kangaroos piled on 8.2 while only going inside 50 on 11 occasions, scoring with almost every entry.

There was also an even spread of goals. Seven Roos hit the scoreboard, with Jack Ziebell the only multiple goal kicker.

Ziebell did the majority of his work in the middle during the time period, alongside Andrew Swallow. The duo had five of their side’s six clearances.

A consistent performer throughout the entire evening was Shaun Higgins. His 31 disposal haul was a season-high and after an influential fortnight elsewhere on the field, the former Bulldog hit the scoreboard once again with two goals.

Higgins remains on track to set career season-highs in disposals, contested disposals, goals, tackles, inside 50’s and clearances. It all lends further weight to the 27-year-old being the recruit of the year.

Another prolific area for Higgins has been scoring assists. With 20 on the year he leads the Kangaroos and on Saturday night it was very noticeable how each player was constantly looking for a higher percentage shot on goal.

Todd Goldstein and Brent Harvey led the way against the Blues with three goals each, as North kicked 18.10. Once the rushed behinds are taken out of the equation, the scoreline becomes 18.7 – one of the most accurate performances of 2015 so far.

Leading into the match against Carlton, NMFC.com.au highlighted the side’s defensive improvement, conceding almost four goals fewer per game since Round 10.

Despite a lapse in the second quarter – conceding five goals in the term – the Blues only managed three majors in the remaining three quarters, finishing with eight for the evening.

It continued a trend during North’s current four-game winning streak of significantly clamping down on its opponents. At only 59.75 points per game conceded, it’s the side’s best four-match defensive streak in Brad Scott’s time at the club.

Next on the agenda for North is a meeting with Melbourne at the MCG. In the corresponding match last season, the Kangaroos blew the game open with a seven-goal third term, eventually winning by 41 points.

If results fall the way of North in Round 19, a defeat of the Demons could see it move all the way up into fifth place.