After every round for the remainder of the 2014 season, NMFC.com.au will search the major media outlets for all that is being said about the weekend’s performance.

After a tough weekend following a shattering loss to the lowly ranked Lions, North Melbourne has come under fire ahead of its all-important clash with Hawthorn on Friday night.

The Roos targeted for not burying the Lions when they had the chance.

Mark Robinson – Herald Sun
“They could’ve iced the game at quarter-time and didn’t and then the Kangaroos and Scott allowed the Lions to regain momentum and pleasure themselves with supreme outside run.

“Did they expect to win? Because after quarter time the basics of playing defensive football were abandoned. Important things like being responsible for an opponent.”

Australian Associated Press - AAP
“North looked lethargic and lacked the Lions’ hunger following their dominant start.”

Paul Barbieri - Omnisport
“The Kangaroos certainly started like a side on a mission as they looked to build some winning momentum after last week’s victory over Melbourne. By the 17-minute mark of the first quarter, they were already enjoying a 22-point margin and hadn’t allowed Brisbane to score.

“All of a sudden the Roos were looking like blue and white witch’s hats as Brisbane ran rings around them, kicking seven goals to one for the quarter as they dominated the clearances.”

Greg Davis - Courier Mail
“Brisbane had so much time and space as they ran, tackled and competed harder than the Roos. The Lions simply out-worked North Melbourne who had no answers to the Brisbane’s second-quarter onslaught.”

The first quarter cited as one issue, North’s overall lack of consistency another.

Mark Robinson – Herald Sun
“This season, it’s week to week, even quarter to quarter consistency that is the damning indicator. Since round five, North’s results read loss-win-loss-win-loss-win-win-loss-win-loss.”

The run home even more critical for North’s finals aspirations.

Paul Barbieri - Omnisport
“For North Melbourne, though, it may be a result that sees their top-four hopes go up in smoke, one that may even hit them harder come September.”