Same teams, same venue, same frenetic pace and similar fluctuations, but not the same result. There were many parallels between this clash and the last time North Melbourne and Geelong met, when the Cats came from 41 points down late in the second quarter to win by four points in round two. This time, North led by 25 points in the second quarter before the Cats stormed back twice – to within two points in the third term and then 11 in the last – but on this occasion, the Roos stood firm under pressure. North fans believe it's what should have happened in round two, which was the first of their five losses by no more than four points.  

A collective sigh echoed throughout the stadium when Geelong skipper Joel Selwood landed awkwardly on the back of his neck after a marking contest late in the second quarter. Selwood had typically placed himself in harm's way when he received strong contact and spun violently, cartwheel-style, in the air. Was the seemingly indestructible midfielder in real trouble? The relief was palpable when he bounced back to his feet, quickly got a kick away and played on without any ill effects. Should we have expected anything else?

Brent Harvey's vintage display prompted Adelaide superstar Patrick Dangerfield to tweet in awe: "Forget drug testing. Test ?@Boomer_29? age! No way this bloke is 35 ?#Benjaminbutton?". In his 358th game, Harvey's first half comprised 24 possessions – six more than anyone else and one more than his average for a match this season – including a phenomenal 21 uncontested. The former skipper was one of the major reasons the Roos looked too slick for the usually quick Cats. Another Roo to step up in the absence of injured captain Andrew Swallow was the sleek Daniel Wells, who was also brilliant with an equal career-best four goals by the early stages of the third term.

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Just 24 hours after Australian Test batsman Usman Khawaja was the victim of a review system howler in the Ashes, the Kangaroos had every right to question the result of a score review that went against them. Early in the second term, Geelong big man Nathan Vardy's set shot was paid a goal, after which several Roos protested. Footage appeared to show the ball deviating after making contact with the right goalpost, but the review was deemed inconclusive, so the original decision stood. Wells' third goal also sparked a video review after he almost missed a running shot under no apparent pressure from about three metres.

Geelong superstar Steve Johnson is one of the most visionary footballers of the modern era. He sees opportunities that most don’t, and executes skills that others don’t possess. So it came as a shock when he made an uncharacteristic error in the opening minutes. Running along the wing, Johnson tried to bring the ball back inside on a 45-degree angle to Travis Varcoe, but overshot him and the resultant turnover landed in the hands of North forward Aaron Black at the other end of the ground. However, Johnson wasn't made to pay – Black hit the post. The genius continued his high-risk, high-reward game to usual effect thereafter.