North Melbourne returned to the winners’ list with the media praising the Roos’ turnaround in form.
After spending the past week waiting to show a more determined effort after a deplorable loss to Gold Coast, it was a 41-point win against the Cats for the men in royal blue and white.
Perhaps the main talking point out of the game came before a ball was bounced, with Brent Harvey handed the green substitute vest.
AFL.com.au
“In a move that shocked many, Harvey, in his 398th game, was handed the green vest following what Scott described as a "pretty honest and frank conversation". Before Saturday night, the 37-year-old had never started as a sub, nor been subbed out of a game.” – Nat Edwards
AAP
“The game started with surely the two most experienced substitutes since the green vest was introduced four years ago.
“Between them, North Melbourne veteran Brent Harvey (397 games) and Geelong's James Kelly (265) had played 662 matches heading into Saturday night.” – Roger Vaughan
But following the win, ‘Boomer’ spoke candidly about what wearing the green vest meant to him.
Channel 7
“On Wednesday when he (Brad Scott) told me, I embraced that role. I thought I played I pretty well and just wanted to execute that role as good as I possibly could.
“I was like another coach on the bench and I was walking up with the guys and telling them what I could see on the ground. It was a little bit different, don't get me wrong.” – Brent Harvey
Throughout 2015, North has been faced with big momentum shifts, but on Saturday night, Geelong was unable to mount a comeback after a dominant second quarter from the Roos.
The Age
“North recognised when the Cats were starting to muster the start of something, and knuckled down. They were able to hold the Cats off again and again, and reassert themselves.
“There was nothing particularly dramatic about this win. But that was a good thing. North was the more assured, more efficient, more controlled and controlling side, for almost all of the night. They decided how this one would turn out.” – Emma Quayle
Meanwhile, the skipper Andrew Swallow also drew praise for his strong performance in the win at Etihad Stadium.
Herald Sun
“When this victory over Geelong was set up during the second quarter, it was Swallow who led the way.
“He was most visible when he kicked the first of North’s seven goals for the term, but his work at the centre bounces — his four clearances, his blocking and tackling — drove the Kangaroos’ lead from one point at quarter time to 33 at the long break.” – Warwick Green
Returning for just his third game after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Taylor Garner’s impressive comeback was also noted.
AFL.com.au
“A surprise packet was young Roo Taylor Garner. In his first senior game since making two appearances in 2013, the 21-year-old kicked two goals in the second term, including a superb snap that put North 33 points up just before the half-time siren.” – Ben Collins
And Geelong captain Joel Selwood may face some scrutiny from the Match Review Panel, after his tackle on Sam Wright drew criticism from some experts.
Herald Sun
“Selwood is in hot water after his tackle on Sam Wright during the second quarter of Saturday night’s game ended with him bending the Kangaroo’s right arm up and over his back.”
But North coach Brad Scott said he didn’t believe Selwood had a case to answer.
“All players are coached now to try and pin an arm, because the umpires are so hot on illegal disposals,” Scott told the media.
“That’s almost second nature to players now. To me, Selwood couldn’t see where the ball was, he pinned the arm, nothing more, nothing less.”
