It's been a long time coming, but North Melbourne's dominant victory over Adelaide deserved plenty of praise.

After six losses in a row, the Roos bounced back in style - a 69-point win perhaps the catalyst for a turnaround in form in the second half of the season.

There were some strong individual performances, but every player had their moments on a day to remember.

Here's what the media had to say about the win. 

On the team's performance

“North Melbourne couldn’t have been more emphatic in its commanding victory over the Crows on Saturday afternoon. And Majak Daw’s inspirational return couldn’t have gone to script much better.

“Amid an ongoing injury crisis, the Kangaroos broke a six-game winning streak and produced the biggest score by any team so far this season to thump a helpless Adelaide outfit by 69 points, 19.5 (119) to 7.8 (50).” – Ben Waterworth, Fox Sports

The big calls

“The day was one North Melbourne was entitled to celebrate with Daw's return outstanding and the response to the coach's tough calls emphatic with Luke Davies-Uniacke and Jed Anderson showing good signs in the midfield, while first-year player Jack Mahony kicked the first goal of his career.

“It was a great response to the coach's call with veteran pair Todd Goldstein and Shaun Higgins leading the way, with Goldstein dominating the centre square battle, while Robbie Tarrant marshalled the defence.” - Peter Ryan, The Age

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“The dominance was field-wide as Jed Anderson (28 disposals, eight clearances, eight tackles, one goal), Trent Dumont (24) and Aaron Hall (20 disposals, two goals) took advantage of a depleted Adelaide midfield, and Luke McDonald (34) mopped up everything across half-back to provide plenty of rebound.

“Ruckman Todd Goldstein was again instrumental, while the Roos' mix of options in attack – they had seven multiple goalkickers – should also serve as a confidence booster as Cam Zurhaar led the way with three majors.” - Callum Twomey, AFL.com.au

Todd Goldstein

“He’s like a ruck-rover with his numbers, and you see the clearance numbers.

“Goldstein for his body of work might just have his nose in front (for All-Australian selection).” - Matthew Lloyd, AFL.com.au

Luke Davies-Uniacke

“North Melbourne has gone hard in recent years at the trade and free agency tables trying to lure A-grade midfielders, and will be active again at the end of this season. But they might already have one in the making if he can stay fit.

“Luke Davies-Uniacke, the No.4 pick at the 2017 NAB AFL Draft, missed the first half of this season recovering from osteitis pubis. But in his second game of the year the speedy, strong and classy midfielder showed his skills, booting two goals from 17 disposals against Adelaide on Saturday.

“It is easy to see Davies-Uniacke’s talents when he arches his back and zooms past traffic, and the 21-year-old can do it better than most at the Roos. A fit, fast and healthy Davies-Uniacke is the midfielder North needs as it begins its era under Rhyce Shaw.” - Callum Twomey, AFL.com.au

Luke McDonald

“North Melbourne's Luke McDonald had some pre-game injury concerns, with the tagger having to prove his fitness due to a knee niggle. But after being given the all-clear McDonald went on to have one of the best days of his career, gathering an equal career-high 34 disposals and having full control from half-back.

“McDonald has done some brilliant run-with jobs this season and shutdown some of the game's best midfielders, but without that responsibility against the Crows he was among the best afield in a dominant display.” - Callum Twomey, AFL.com.au

Majak Daw

“He took the second-most intercept marks on the ground, was targeted six times inside 50 (second for the game) and thrilled Rhyce Shaw with his strong tap-work and second efforts in close.

“North Melbourne will want to see more of that to hand him another contract for 2021 but Daw, 30 next March, gives this side so much versatility and flexibility.

“How much? Todd Goldstein had spent the previous three games playing 100 of 105 minutes, 93 of 97 minutes and 97 of 102 minutes.

“Against Adelaide he roamed around as the game’s best player playing just 86 of 108 minutes, perfectly fresh to take on Geelong in four days’ time instead of run ragged.

“The challenge now for Daw is to channel Goldstein’s fitness.” - Jon Ralph, Herald Sun

Aaron Hall

“The Kangaroo’s playing for his career at the moment, and if he can produce more of what he did against the Crows, the better his standing with the coach will be.

“Rhyce Shaw has been stern with him — play more team football than selfish football — and it seems Hall is listening.

“He had his best game of the season, having 20 disposals, nine contested possessions, 324m gained, six score involvements and two goals. It was the perfect mid-forward game. Still, it was against the lowly Crows. Let’s see it against better opposition.” - Mark Robinson, Herald Sun

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“It is the third time in his past four outings Hall has collected 20 or more possessions, while he has applied nine tackles in the past two games to highlight a willingness to apply pressure defensively, which has been a knock during his career.” Adam Smith - The Mercury