Having won four straight and seven of the last eight, a finals spot was there for the taking if the Kangaroos defeated the Bombers at Etihad Stadium.
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A frenetic start before a crowd of 42,674 was fitting of the high stakes of the match. There were 11 goals between the sides in the first term as the game see-sawed back and forth.
The game took a significant swing late in the first term however. Leigh Adams and Daniel Wells both suffered injuries which ruled them out for the rest of the game. It meant North had to activate its substitute and play one short on the bench for the remaining three quarters, tilting the momentum significantly towards the Bombers.
Minus some important run, it was no surprise when North looked to slow the play down wherever possible in the second quarter, opting to maintain possession through short, sharp passing. It was a far cry from its signature style of 2012, when quick handballs and frenetic running were usually the norm.
However, Essendon finished the half the stronger, kicking the last two goals to go in with a two-point lead.
The third quarter belonged to one man – Brent Harvey.
The veteran put the team on his back and kicked all three of North’s goals for the quarter, running around his opponents like a player in the prime of his career.
[RELATED: Harvey’s quarter of brilliance]
Despite just four possessions in the term, Harvey turned the game on its head and gave North the confidence it needed.
But the game was still up for grabs and when Michael Hurley kicked straight 10 minutes into the final quarter, North’s lead was just three points.
Lachlan Hansen picked the right time to kick one of his best goals for the season. After the number six spoiled a clearing Essendon kick, he surged forward to provide another option. From 45 metres out on the boundary, he made no mistake and broke the resistance of the Bombers.
[RELATED: Lachlan Hansen kicks a beauty]
Sam Gibson followed up with a goal minutes later and North kept Essendon scoreless for the last 20 minutes en route to an inspiring 24-point win.
Essendon 5.2.32, 8.6.54, 9.10.64, 11.10.76
North Melbourne 6.2.38, 8.4.52, 11.7.73, 15.10.100
Goals
Essendon: Davey 3, Hurley 3, Crameri 1, Lonergan 1, Lovett-Murray 1, Melksham 1, Watson 1
North Melbourne: Hansen 3, Harvey 3, Tarrant 3, Garlett 2, Gibson 2, Wells 1, Wright 1
Brownlow Medal
3 – Sam Wright (NM), 2 – Tom Bellchambers (Ess), 1 – Jobe Watson (Ess)
