North Melbourne has received all the accolades in the media after breaking its Simonds Stadium hoodoo on Sunday. The Kangaroos defeated Geelong down the highway for the first time since 2007.
The Age
"After withstanding a furious early onslaught from the Cats, North's defence held firm in the last three quarters and ruckman Todd Goldstein (21 disposals, 41 hit-outs) led an across-the-board effort from the Roos as they inflicted Geelong's second loss at home this season, with only a close win over Gold Coast the other result." – Matt Murnane
Herald Sun
"After eight seasons of percentage-pounding pain dished out by Geelong at its own backyard, North Melbourne proved the curse of the Cattery has finally been quelled. When the Kangaroos drove home last night they became the first Victorian club to carry four points back to the big smoke since… the Kangaroos, way back in Round 5, 2007." – Sam Landsberger
3AW
"The era well and truly has ended." – Cameron Ling
It wasn’t the usual suspects hailed for getting North across the line with defender Robbie Tarrant praised for his work down back.
The Age
"Tarrant, in particular, was pivotal, holding Geelong power forward Tom Hawkins to just one goal - a player who has caused headaches for the Roos in the past." – Matt Murnane
AFL.com.au
"Goldstein again been huge for the Roos but have liked Robbie Tarrant's game too." - Nick Bowen
Trent Dumont (aka ‘The Difference’) also took up several centimetres in the national papers for his first-up AFL performance.
The Age
"Debutant Trent Dumont also bobbed up as a surprise hero, winning a crucial ball that led to one of North's five last-quarter goals, and then kicking another with a poised banana kick after crumbing a deep forward entry." – Matt Murnane
Herald Sun
“And North debutant Trent Dumont showed the kind of courage which immediately endeared him to coach Brad Scott and the club’s faithful. Dumont stood under a hospital pass in the tense last quarter, didn’t flinch, somehow won the ball and sent it forward as Ben Brown found an open goal. Dumont’s next response? Standing in the centre of the forward arc surrounded by men and showing the confidence to lob an inside-outside snap through for his first career goal in the defining moment of a see-sawing match.” – Sam Landsberger
