Two narrow victories on Friday night means the Kangaroos join Brisbane, Carlton and Collingwood as the only teams undefeated, while 10 teams with one win apiece share positions 5-14. Melbourne, Hawthorn, Sydney and the Bulldogs are almost out of contention after failing to secure a win.
First and third-placed Brisbane and Collingwood are set to face off the final round, though it remains likely the Kangaroos will still need to take home the points in each of their remaining matches to make the final.
This week the Roos are off to Townsville to take on the Gold Coast and after victory against 2012 Grand finalist Hawthorn in their first game, the Suns will have another point to prove.
A win will see North Melbourne in a strong position heading into the last match against Geelong; a loss and its back into the main pack for Brad Scott’s men.
Encouragingly, with 86-points, North was the fourth-highest scoring team after the first round.
Among those to make an early impact, captain Andrew Swallow was his team’s highest disposal winner with 24 touches across the two games.
The club’s new recruits also impressed; Ben Jacobs had 10 disposals and a super-goal against the Demons before sitting out game two, Jordan Gysberts racked up 9 possessions against his old team, while Daniel Currie proved the dominant ruckman on the ground against the Tigers, registering 12 hit-outs.
Other standout performers included Will Sierakowski who drew praise from Scott after gathering 9 possessions in game one and Majak Daw after his electrifying goal and courageous mark.
North Melbourne’s traveling squad will board a flight on Friday before taking on the Suns the following day at the Townsville Football Ground.
NMFC.com.au will provide live updates, with no television coverage available of the game.
Club | P | W | L | AFD | PTS | FOR | AGST | % |
Brisbane Lions | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 89 | 35 | 254.29 |
Carlton | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 80 | 56 | 142.86 |
Collingwood | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 78 | 58 | 134.48 |
North Melbourne | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 86 | 80 | 107.50 |
Port Adelaide | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 92 | 58 | 158.62 |
Essendon | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 74 | 50 | 148.00 |
GWS Giants | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 84 | 62 | 135.48 |
West Coast | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 87 | 65 | 133.85 |
Richmond | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 74 | 63 | 117.46 |
Fremantle | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 64 | 70 | 91.43 |
Adelaide | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 67 | 77 | 87.01 |
Geelong | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 79 | 95 | 83.16 |
St Kilda | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 65 | 89 | 73.03 |
Gold Coast | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 54 | 86 | 62.79 |
Melbourne | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 68 | 75.00 |
Hawthorn | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 62 | 64.52 |
Sydney Swans | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 98 | 53.06 |
Western Bulldogs | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 92 | 52.17 |
