It was the highest scoring match of North Melbourne’s season so far – a combined 219 points put up between the Kangaroos and the Demons on Sunday.

However it was a departure from the norm, as the majority of the scoring came from stoppages instead of turnovers. A standard game will see approximately 55-60 per cent of the score from opposition mistakes, but as the table shows the script was flipped at the MCG.

With the exception of kick-ins, clearances and turnovers are the two ways a team can score. Heading into the match, it was the former where North had excelled during its four game winning streak.

The Roos have scored 100 more points than their opponents in the area, and appeared set to continue the trend early in the second quarter when they led by 33 points.

Another goal from a stoppage - six of our nine have come from clearances, a huge number #afldeesnorth

— North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) August 9, 2015

But it was from this point on where the game turned and it was based on Melbourne’s own dominance at stoppages. While the clearance count itself was relatively even, when the Demons did win the ball from the stoppage they were almost unstoppable.

After quarter time Melbourne had the best part of a five goal advantage from clearances, more than doubling its normal scoring rate on the season so far.

It was an uncharacteristic performance from the Kangaroos; their defensive work of the past four weeks in the area seemingly taking a step back.

So without the normal edge around the ball, the victory had to be earned in a different area. It arrived in a manner perhaps slightly unexpected, as North had a season low number in total turnovers.

The AFL average for turnovers per game is 63, but the Kangaroos only coughed it up on 47 occasions to the Demons. By protecting the ball, while still profiting from Melbourne’s mistakes, North was able to make up the deficit it conceded around the stoppages.

Add in an extra Kangaroo goal coming directly from a kick-in, and it explains how the 34-point margin at quarter time was almost identical to the 35 at full time.

On an individual note, Shaun Higgins continued to make his case for recruit of the year. Another dominant performance from the former Bulldog yielded 31 disposals, five inside 50’s, five rebound 50’s and two important final term goals.

Following up from his 31 disposal effort against Carlton, it marked the first time in Higgins’ career where he’s had back-to-back games of 30+ possessions.

Higgins is currently on 31 goals and tied with Drew Petrie on the top of the club goal kicking leaderboard, also only one behind equalling his best ever effort in a single season.