Daniel Wells best for North
According to Brad Scott and John Worsfold, Daniel Wells was the best performed North Melbourne player at Patersons Stadium.
Coming into the game fresh after being named as the substitute in Round 7, Wells collected 23 disposals, 8 marks and had 6 inside 50’s in his home state.
Impressively, Wells disposed of the ball at more than 90 per cent efficiency; he was just one of three North players to do so while having 10 or more kicks.
It was the fourth game the midfielder has polled votes in this season, equalling Andrew Swallow’s effort after eight rounds.
Ben Cunnington also polled, making it three consecutive outings with votes from the coaches.
Cunnington was one of five Kangaroos to collect more than 20 disposals, and also registered 9 clearances and 7 tackles.
Brent Harvey was awarded two votes as he returned to the scene of his six-week suspension in 2012’s Elimination Final. His two goals and 24 disposals were crucial to North.
To round off the five Roos among the votes, Aaron Black and Lachlan Hansen each registered one.
Playing in his home-town for the first time in his career, Black was superb with three goals, almost single-handedly giving his team the momentum late in the third quarter.
Down the other end of the ground, Hansen had a career-high 15 marks, repeatedly thwarting West Coast’s forward 50 entries.
The votes
10 - Nic Naitanui (WCE)
7 - Darren Glass (WCE)
4 - Daniel Wells (NM)
3 - Ben Cunnington (NM)
2 - Brent Harvey (NM)
2 - Josh Hill (WCE)
1 - Aaron Black (NM)
1 - Lachlan Hansen (NM)
North Melbourne leaderboard
23 – Andrew Swallow
18 – Jack Ziebell
15 – Ryan Bastinac
14 – Scott Thompson
13 – Daniel Wells