It was a bitterly cold night in Hobart but North Melbourne brought the heat and inflicted a brutal defeat on the Tigers on Friday night.
While the media was intent on piling into Richmond for it’s lackluster performance, North was given its dues for the 70-point win.
The Age
“The Roos looked dangerous from the first bounce – Daniel Wells, Shaun Atley and Brent Harvey kicked quick goals before Jack Riewoldt managed the Tigers' first, their only major score for the quarter.” - Larissa Nicholson
Herald Sun
“The Tigers were jumped early and never recovered.” – Sam Edmund
With Todd Goldstein a late withdrawal, Majak Daw was brought in to fill the void.
AAP
"Majak Daw, who replaced Goldstein, finished with 19 hit outs and a goal in front of a record AFL Bellerive crowd of 17,844 on a chilly night."
The Age
“But Daw stood up well in just his 18th senior game, while Richmond were dealt blow after injury blow.” - Larissa Nicholson
Herald Sun
“There was no Todd Goldstein, no Brad Scott, no worries. Then there’s the Tigers, who are consumed by them.” – Sam Edmund
North dominated the match with its veterans firing on all cylinders.
The Age
“Evergreen Kangaroo Brent Harvey, still uncannily quick and crafty at 38, kicked goal number 500 for his career in the final quarter, then minutes later strolled into the goal square unchallenged for 501.” - Larissa Nicholson
AAP
"Club stalwart Brent Harvey, playing his 420th game, found the middle pegs four times, bringing up his 500th goal.
Daniel Wells was valuable for the Roos with 30 disposals and three goals."
Herald Sun
“The Kangaroos amassed 45 more possessions than Richmond, but still laid 33 more tackles. It happens rarely, but is significant when it does. North’s veterans were dominant. Ben Cunnington had five first quarter clearances, but Wells, Harvey and Nick Dal Santo were ripping Richmond to shreds on the outside.
“Wells was sensational with 30 possessions, Dal Santo had 33 at 82 per cent efficiency and Andrew Swallow had a “triple-double” with 28 touches, 11 tackles and 10 clearances.” – Sam Edmund
The biggest highlight of the night was North’s third quarter.
AAP
“North booted five goals in less than 10 minutes at the start of the third quarter to open a 57-point margin from which the Tigers never recovered.”
Herald Sun
“The Tigers had three goals to show for a stagnant, mistake-riddled first half, but things soon went from bad to horrific. Like the first term, North started the third in devastating fashion, kicking five goals in the first nine minutes.” – Sam Edmund
The Twittersphere
ABC Sport AFL - @ABCAFL
Brad Sewell "In the first half of the 3rd term @NMFCOfficial completely dominated, and importantly they hit the scoreboard" #aflnorthtigers
1116 SEN Footy - @SENfooty
Maxy: It just looks like there's a couple of extra North players out there because their work rate is just that much higher. #AFLNorthTigers
Adam White - @White_Adam
North Melbourne has kicked 5.2 with just 27 disposals in nine minutes. Amazing. #AFLNorthTigers
3AW Football - @3AWisfootball
North by 57 now. Beva: "The Tigers have won the last three but it's still 1st v 14th, and that's the way it's appearing." #AFLNorthTigers
Triple M Footy - @triplemfooty
J.Dunstall says "Richmond are hanging by a thread at the moment. North are just waiting to inflict the killer blow" #AFLNorthTigers
Drew Petrie enjoyed a return to form after a quiet few weeks.
Herald Sun
“The Tigers were concerned about Jarrad Waite and sent Alex Rance to keep him under control. So Drew Petrie provided the avenue to goal with 10 touches and six marks on David Astbury by halftime.” – Sam Edmund
Sam Gibson’s job on Brandon Ellis didn’t go unnoticed.
The Twittersphere
Mitch Cleary - @cleary_mitch
Back to back wins Gibson. 10 touches for Ellis in Elimination Final, 7 tonight #aflnorthtigers
Jack Heverin - @JackHeverin
I doubt he'll figure in the votes, but Sam Gibson's shut out job of Brandon Ellis for the second time has been huge #AFLNorthTigers
North’s 10th win for the season was also a much needed percentage booster.
The Twittersphere
Rohan Connolly - @rohan_connolly
Worth pointing out that since Roos copped it for not putting teams away they've won by 67 and 70 points. #aflnorthtigers
3AW Football - @3AWisfootball
North's lead is out to 69. Dwayne: "I reckon Damien Hardwick would be feeling sicker than Brad Scott right now." #AFLNorthTigers
