However, as this week's NMFC Playbook illustrates, it was North’s ball movement and hard work off the ball to provide options that rattled their opponents.
Below we look at three instances that resulted in vital Kangaroos' free kicks during the premiership quarter.
As the ball is about to be pumped inside the forward 50, Lindsay Thomas recognises the space directly in front of goal. He moves through the maze of tall forwards, stealing an edge on his opponent.
Despite the lead being a quality one, it would have meant nothing if the kick wasn’t of equal skill. Luckily it is exactly that, and Thomas has a clean run at the ball. Ben Stratton now knows his opponent has him beaten.
Knowing Thomas is the clear favourite to get hands on the ball first, Stratton attempts to get away with a hold, gifting the free kick and goal to the North forward.
In the next passage of play, NMFC.com.au will look at results in a free kick to Drew Petrie.
After a strong contested mark by Todd Goldstein on the wing, the ruckman looks long towards the 50 metre mark, spotting Petrie matched up with Ryan Schoenmakers.
Much like Thomas in the above example, Petrie has space to run into, and the kick by Goldstein is excellent.
With little room to work into, the left-footer hits a 50 metre pass out in front of Petrie perfectly. Schoenmakers, like Stratton, knows he is in a tough position.
He takes his eye off the ball and attempts to make body contact to throw Petrie off the ball, but doesn’t succeed.
The free kick is conceded and Brent Harvey gleefully takes advantage, squaring the ball to Aaron Black for a simple goal.
It’s Harvey himself who features in the third and final free kick highlighted in Playbook. After a centre bounce win by North, the 377-gamer gains possession.
Spotting Goldstein in space, Harvey instantly attempts the long handball.
Jordan Lewis is in front of the number 29, and much like the 35,000 people inside Etihad Stadium, the Hawk knows that his opponent will be looking for the quick one-two.
Lewis attempts to block Harvey out of the play, a regular occurrence. However the speed of the North forward is just too much for Lewis to handle, and in his desperation he catches him high.
Three examples of how the Kangaroos’ movement and willingness to take the game on led to the match going their way.
