With a shaky record heading in the bye, North Melbourne did what it needed to do to secure the four points and break its pre-break hoodoo, this time against the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
Although the game tightened up in the second quarter, the Roos stormed home to win by 56-points.
Among North’s shining lights was Nick Dal Santo and Jamie Macmillan, but no one could take the shine away from Todd Goldstein. The dominant ruckman’s record breaking night took up the most space in the media over the weekend.
In the absence of Shane Mumford, Goldstein amassed a whopping 80 hit-outs, breaking Aaron Sandilands’ previous record of 70 set only a fortnight ago.
AAP
“Up against third-choice Giants ruckman Rory Lobb, playing just his third senior game, Goldstein helped the visitors to a massive 89-23 advantage in the hitouts and a 20-4 win in centre clearances.” - Adrian Warren
AFL.com.au
“It was meant to be a mouthwatering clash between two of the league's most dominant rucks, with the Kangaroos' Todd Goldstein in the blue corner and the Giants Shane Mumford in the orange corner. However, Mumford's absence due to a season-ending ankle injury suffered in round 11 meant the ruck was more of an exhibition than a contest.
"The 201cm Goldstein showed off all of his skills to amass a VFL/AFL game record 80 hitouts against the taller, but vastly more inexperienced, Rory Lobb, helping the Kangaroos dominate the clearances 58-30.” - Jordan Chong
The Age
“A key statistic was in the ruck, where Todd Goldstein — sporting stitches to a shiner after running into friendly fire nearing half-time — amassed a record 80 hit outs against a gallant but outgunned Rory Lobb.” - David Sygall
The Daily Telegraph
“Lobb was playing in just his third game of senior football and was no match for the All Australian candidate who gave the Kangaroos first use of the ball at almost every centre bounce where they smashed the home team 20 to 3.
“He reaped the benefits of playing against the Giants third choice ruckman Rory Lobb after Andrew Phillips failed to recover from a back injury.
“While he racked up the stats it was no walk in the park for Goldstein who left the ground looking liked he’d gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson.” - Neil Cordy
3AW
"I know Mummy is out but that's way too big a discrepancy." – Luke Ball
While Goldstein’s efforts were highlighted everywhere, Ben Jacobs’ superb shutdown role on Dylan Shiel didn’t go unnoticed.
AFL.com.au
“Entering Saturday's twilight contest, Giants midfielder Dylan Shiel was averaging a club leading 29.1 possessions a game, the seventh highest in the league. However, the 22-year-old was unable to produce anywhere near those numbers against the Kangaroos, with minder Ben Jacobs limiting Shiel to just two possessions by quarter-time and six at the half.” - Jordan Chong
The Daily Telegraph
“Ben Jacobs did an excellent job on GWS midfield gun Dylan Shiel to a season low 11 disposals and picking up 15 of his own.” – Neil Cordy
The return of Nick Dal Santo also hard to ignore with the classy veteran straight back into the thick of the action after his nine week stint on the sidelines.
AAP
“Another plus was the sparkling return of veteran midfielder Nick Dal Santo, with a game high 34 touches in his first match after a long layoff with a hamstring injury.” – Adrian Warren
The Daily Telegraph
"With Goldstein in complete control in the ruck the Kangaroos midfielders had a field day. In his first game back from injury Nick Dal Santo gathered a game high 34 disposals.” - Neil Cordy
A career game from Jamie Macmillan also praised as well as some other decent contributions.
AAP
“Robin Nahas kicked four goals and Jarrad Waite and Jamie Macmillan each booted three for the Kangaroos, who slammed on the first five goals of the game inside 17 minutes.” – Adrian Warren
The Daily Telegraph
“Macmillan was outstanding adding three very good goals to his all-round display including the first of the match in the opening seconds.” - Neil Cordy
North Melbourne now sits in 11th place on the ladder and remains within reach of the top eight with a favourable draw coming up in the second half of the season.
AFL.com.au
“North Melbourne picked the perfect time to break an unwanted losing streak stretching back to 2011. In the past six seasons, the Kangaroos have lost all of their six home-and-away matches prior to having the bye. But a blistering opening half against the Giants, where they booted 10 goals to four on the way to a 32-point advantage at the main interval, helped the Kangaroos secure the four premiership points, move to a 6-6 win-loss record and stay within touching distance of the top eight.” - Jordan Chong
The Herald Sun
“So what do the Roos require to mount a 10-game September blitz? Need to become more miserly down back. Dal Santo proved how vital one player can be, so find a magic potion for Wells.” – Staff writers
The Daily Telegraph
“The Kangaroos win balanced the ledger to 6-6 heading into the bye and keeps their finals hopes well and truly alive.” - Neil Cordy
