North Melbourne’s highest scoring quarter in more than two years proved the difference in its 37-point victory against St Kilda. Coincidentally its last nine-goal term was also against the Saints in Round 10, 2013.

This latest scoring blitz turned a 20-point deficit into a 25-point lead at the final break and from there the Roos were rarely challenged on the way to its sixth win in a row. Five of the nine majors came in a scintillating eight minute burst and only took a total of 18 possessions to achieve.

However the first 11 minutes of the term were goal for goal. When Jarryn Geary converted, North trailed by 21 points.

Lindsay Thomas then sparked into action, kicking two of the next three goals. He ended with three for the term, moving to 32 on the year and second spot in the club goal kicking list.

Drew Petrie was another to hit the scoreboard often, kicking three goals of his own for the term. It continued a purple patch of form for the vice-captain who has kicked 18 goals in his last six appearances.

Once again, Todd Goldstein was dominant in the middle. In the third term he had three clearances, and all of them resulted in goals to the Kangaroos.

However the burst was much needed after an extremely disappointing first half. North was perhaps a little lucky to only trail by 20 points after conceding a whopping 36 inside 50’s to St Kilda.

The Saints kicked just six goals from those 36 entries, while North converted four of only 15. A saving grace for the Kangaroos was how they managed to force St Kilda to largely take shots from distance. Of the visitors’ seven behinds (four were rushed), six came from further than 40 metres out.

Across the AFL, the scoring accuracy hovers at approximately 50 per cent from that distance. Add the unfamiliar conditions into the equation and it provides an explanation for why North was able to dodge a larger deficit.

Second quarters also remain a problem area for the Kangaroos. Since a sparkling seven-goal effort against Geelong in Round 15, they have lost the last five. Considering the next opponent – Fremantle – is one of the best defensive sides in the competition for the quarter, a significant improvement will be needed on Sunday.

Back to Blundstone Arena though, and when St Kilda did have the momentum, it appeared Ben Jacobs might be a possibility of lowering his colours for the first time in weeks. His matchup for the afternoon was midfielder Jack Steven, who collected 10 disposals and four clearances in the first term.

After the first break Jacobs re-focused and shut down the star Saint. Steven only managed a total of 11 disposals in the final three terms, finishing with 21 – well below his season average of 27.

The Roo could be in line for arguably the most challenging matchup this season – Nat Fyfe on Sunday afternoon at Etihad Stadium.