North’s 64-point win over Carlton on Saturday night further strengthened its top eight credentials, impressing journalists and fans alike.
Jack Ziebell was voted as best on by most media pundits watching on, with Shaun Higgins and Todd Goldstein also among the votes in the press box at Etihad Stadium.
AFL.com.au
“Jack Ziebell was a wrecking ball in the midfield most of the night and a dangerous pinch-hitter when resting in attack. The North Melbourne vice-captain finished with 26 possessions, two goals and a team-high six clearances and six inside 50s. It was no coincidence that when North was reasserting its dominance in the third term that Ziebell was particularly imposing.” – Nick Bowen
The Roos blistering start in the first term also impressed those in the stands.
Herald Sun
“The Roos kicked the first five goals of the game in ridiculously easy fashion. There was overlap kick after overlap kick. Jack Ziebell was able to mark in the forward pocket and with nearly every Carlton player defending was still able to centre it to Brent Harvey 40m directly in front.” – Sam Edmund
The Blues made a charge in the second quarter, but the half-time break came at the right time for the Roos who powered home with a 10 goal to two second half.
AAP
“The Blues fired up in the second term, kicking five out of seven goals and reduced the margin to only four points just before half-time. All the questions about the Kangaroos' consistency were bubbling to the surface again, in a season where they started as top-four fancies but have struggled for consistency.”
The Age
“After an entertaining first half, in which the Blues recovered to play some enterprising footy and drew close, North regained the ascendancy from the middle of the third quarter and subsequently cantered to the expected victory by 64 points.” – Jake Niall
In Jarrad Waite’s 200th, the former Blue received plenty of jeers from the Carlton faithful, but it only seemed to spur him on.
The Age
“Jarrad Waite played a classic in his 200th game against his old team, mixing brilliance - a banana goal on the run, some springy marks and a lovely athletic snap. Waite had invited the Carlton folk to boo him, and they obliged.” – Jake Niall
AFL.com.au
“When he (Waite) marked across the Roos' half-back line in the opening minute of Saturday night's game he was roundly booed by the Carlton faithful. There was a sense of theatre about the crowd's 'welcome' and Blues fans thereafter generally let Waite go about his work in respectful silence.” – Nick Bowen
The win, North’s fourth in a row, saw Brad Scott’s side finish the weekend in seventh spot, with a clash against an in-form Demons at the MCG next on the agenda.
Herald Sun
“The jury remains well out on their (North’s) 2015 prospects, but with each win comes more momentum.” – Sam Edmund
