North Melbourne has fallen to an 18-point loss against Essendon at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.

The Roos got off to a strong start, leading by ten points at both quarter-time and the main break, before Essendon asserted its ascendency with a four-goal to one third term.

North fought all the way to the end, getting the margin below a goal several times in the last quarter, but ultimately came up short. 

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Match highlights (Round 18, 2021)

Check out all the best highlights from the clash against the Bombers.

The last time these two sides met – just eight weeks ago – Essendon strolled away to a thumping 72-point win. 

But the Kangaroos have improved in leaps and bounds, and came into this match – initially slated for Marvel Stadium but shifted to Metricon Stadium, an eighth road trip for the well-travelled Bombers – fresh off a shock upset win over West Coast in Perth. 

Despite missing talismanic midfielder Ben Cunnington (family reasons), the young Roos' midfield – led by Jy Simpkin and Luke Davies-Uniacke – more than held their own, and kept their side in the game during the last quarter. 

Typically for a young, developing team, North Melbourne interspersed periods of brilliance and neat play with poor defensive blunders and over-use of the footy.

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Classy Taylor nearly a match-winner
Curtis Taylor had a fairly quiet game up until the final quarter, but was nearly the difference with a pair of stunning goals. Despite being out-numbered three to one, the Roo spoiled the ball inside attacking 50, pounced on the loose footy, dodged around an opponent and snapped truly. His second came 10 minutes later from the opposite pocket, a composed set shot from a tight angle after another Stringer goal had threatened to take the game away.

Joeys stand up without midfield leader
Ben Cunnington is North Melbourne's most integral player, but the young midfield stood up well without the bullocking midfielder. Cunnington opted to sit out the unexpected trip to the Gold Coast for family reasons, and the likes of Tarryn Thomas, Jy Simpkin, Luke Davies-Uniacke and Will Phillips can hold their heads high after an assured performance. They recorded six straight clearances in the last quarter, and should take enormous confidence they can hold their own without Cunnington. 

NORTH MELBOURNE 4.4 6.4 7.8 11.8 (74)
ESSENDON 3.0 4.6 8.10 13.14 (92)

GOALS  
North Melbourne: Larkey 3, Taylor 2, Scott, Thomas, Lazzaro, Mahony, Xerri, Zurhaar
Essendon: Stringer 4, Wright 3, Guelfi, Perkins, Heppell, Smith, Ham, Hooker
 
BEST  
North Melbourne: Simpkin, Thomas, McDonald, Davies-Uniacke, Hall
Essendon: Stringer, Parish, Merrett, Heppell, Draper
   
INJURIES  
North Melbourne: Mahony (shoulder)
Essendon: Nil 
   
SUBSTITUTES  
North Melbourne: Bosenavulagi (replaced Mahony)  
Essendon: Gleeson (unused)