A backs-to-the-wall victory at Blundstone Arena has seen North Melbourne receive positive reviews from the media.

In conditions rarely seen during AFL games in the current era, an extremely strong wind favoured one end of the ground. It played havoc with skills, although it did lead to several amusing moments.

AFL.com.au

“Such was the ferocity and sporadic nature of the north-westerly gale blowing across Blundstone Arena during the first half, just managing a consistent ball drop was difficult and led to numerous ‘shanks’ from players on both sides.

“Scott Selwood, Jarrad Waite and Lindsay Thomas attempted notably wayward shots at goal, but perhaps the most telling moment came during the opening term when West Coast’s Sam Butler tried to pump the ball inside the West Coast forward 50m arc.

“Despite aiming his kick for the top of the goal square, the Sherrin was picked up on the breeze and blown at almost 90 degrees from where Butler had let fly.” - Stu Warren

After a week where the club’s leadership was questioned, Jack Ziebell was one of many players to stand up and be counted.

The vice-captain played a big part in North’s quarter time lead.

Herald Sun

“Vice-captain Ziebell was first to firmly distance himself from the soft leadership talk which engrossed Arden St last week and was reignited by dual premiership Roo David King.

“Ziebell was the architect for the first-quarter buffer, seizing a game-high 10 disposals, four tackles, three clearances and a contested mark on the wing which set up Brown’s first goal.” - Sam Landsberger

Over the next quarter and a half, it appeared West Coast had unlocked the mystery of the local conditions.

Late in the third quarter the visitors led by 11 points, with the wind set to be at their back in the final term.

The Age

“The Eagles retooled how they would attack into the wind. Primarily that seemed to be to get Matt Priddis and Andrew Gaff to manage the ball use and run it with linking handball.

“When Liam Duggan and Josh Kennedy managed to goal into the wind to give the Eagles an 11-point lead it appeared the match-winning lead had opened up.” - Michael Gleeson

Just when it appeared that North’s season was potentially slipping away, the lifeline arrived in the form of a late third-quarter burst.

The Age

“As if on cue North's leaders intervened to keep the game alive. Brown curled in a goal after scrapping in a pocket, then Shaun Higgins, who was terrific all day, poked through a goal after Andrew Swallow fell over under pressure in the goal square but still squirted out a handball.

“Then Brent Harvey sniffed a chance when he received a handball from outside 50 and floated a long ball on the wind.” - Michael Gleeson

However with only a six-point lead at three quarter time, North still had a power of work to do to hold on.

Its work around the contest proved the decisive factor as it ran out victorious by 10 points for its fifth consecutive win at Blundstone Arena.

Herald Sun

“With the goalposts at either end shaking like they should have been props in an AC/DC hit and high kicks morphing into boomerangs, the Kangaroos would conjure four goals into the wind after just four were kicked in the first three quarters.” - Sam Landsberger

AAP

“Just as important (as the third quarter burst) was the fact that they were able to maintain scoreboard pressure in the final term, despite kicking into the teeth of the strong wind.”