Back to back wins twice this season, coincidentally both involving victories against Essendon.

North Melbourne’s 25-point win on Friday night was in large due to a strong second half - nine goals to three overturned an eight-point deficit at the main break.

Jarrad Waite’s forward pressure was a highlight for the Kangaroos. With the game largely bereft of free-flowing attack from either side, his effort to keep the ball trapped in the attacking zone was crucial.

All of Waite’s six tackles were laid inside the forward 50, a mark that has only been bettered twice this entire season in the AFL.

Without Drew Petrie for the first time since Round 1, 2011, the Roos’ forwards took some time to click.

“We had some structural issues early, and Essendon defended well,” Brad Scott said post-match.

“But I was pleased with the response, particularly after half-time. We were able to make some running repairs on the forward half and get it functioning better.”

In addition to playing the regulation three talls, Aaron Black replacing the suspended Petrie, Jack Ziebell and Ben Cunnington spent more time forward than normal. In fact it was the number 10 who started the game closest to goal.

Ziebell kicked three last-quarter goals to put the game out of reach, while Ben Brown was the best forward on the ground with a haul of four.

The Tasmanian was the go-to man when North entered 50. Up until Friday night, Brown was the target an average of 3.3 times per game this season. The number was blown out of the water against the Bombers, increasing to 11.

It was the second time Brown has kicked four goals against Essendon - the first of which came in last year’s famous Elimination Final victory.

The 22-year-old also passed his 2014 tally of 18 goals in Friday’s win, reaching 20 in his 12th game of the season.

The forward mix has been more evenly spread this season – there have been six players with at least 18 goals with seven matches still to play.

Elsewhere, the dominance of Todd Goldstein was again on show, with another three-vote game likely.

The Kangaroos’ ruckman was everywhere, dominating both the aerial battle – 55 hit-outs and 20 to advantage – and around the ground with 27 disposals, eight clearances and eight marks.

With Brownlow leader-elect Nat Fyfe arguably without votes in the last fortnight, Goldstein could have closed the gap by as many as five or six votes.