NORTH MELBOURNE has notched up its first win of the season with a comprehensive 59-point victory over Melbourne under the roof of Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon. A dominant final quarter by the Kangaroos, where they kicked eight goals to Melbourne's one, blew out the margin from 18 points at three-quarter time to nearly 10 goals.
North Melbourne scored 19.11 (125) to Melbourne's 9.12 (66) in a match that showcased the ruthlessness of the Kangaroos. They kicked six goals in just over six minutes at the start of the final term, much to the delight of fans who filled the stadium despite the glorious weather outside.
The midfield performance by North Melbourne was pivotal, led by ruck Tristan Xerri with 29 hitouts and 12 clearances and Tom Powell, who managed 31 disposals throughout the match. Meanwhile, dangerous forwards Cam Zurhaar and Paul Curtis added significantly to the scoreboard. Zurhaar, who struggled to find the net in the previous round with just one goal and four behinds, turned things around by scoring four goals and one behind this time around. Curtis contributed with three goals and 22 disposals, while Nick Larkey also left his mark by scoring three times.
New recruits for North Melbourne made their mark as well, with Luke Parker, Jacob Konstanty, and Colby McKercher kicking their first goals as Kangaroos. Jack Darling, a West Coast premiership player, also shone with two goals in his 300th match, thrilling the home crowd.
On the other hand, Melbourne’s performance was marred by injuries and lapses. A notable highlight for them was Clayton Oliver, who had 36 disposals and played well, alongside small forward Kade Chandler, who scored three goals. However, the Demons were severely impacted by an injury to forward Matthew Jefferson, who left the field with a hand issue shortly after the first quarter and did not return to the game.
The match saw North Melbourne demonstrate their growth and potential under coach Alastair Clarkson. It marked the third-largest score the Kangaroos had achieved in the last seven seasons, and it was only the fifth time they broke the century mark from their last 108 games, symbolizing a significant shift in their performance capabilities.
The final quarter was indeed game-changing for North Melbourne. They kicked six of their eight final-quarter goals in the first seven minutes, demonstrating a blistering attack that left Melbourne reeling. The contest had remained competitive until late in the third term when North took control.
Statistical analysis of the match reveals that North Melbourne outperformed Melbourne across a range of categories, including disposals (403 to 351), contested possessions (139 to 120), and clearances (41 to 31). Despite Melbourne leading in inside 50s (56 to 53), their midfield and forward connection proved ineffective, resulting in an inability to capitalize on possessions.
In the aftermath of this match, both teams face significant implications. North Melbourne will enter their next fixtures with momentum and confidence, looking to continue this promising start to the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Melbourne has much to reconsider before their upcoming game against the Gold Coast, as sitting at 0-2 might gravely affect their prospects for the finals.
The new dawn at Arden Street for North Melbourne seems more than just a brief flash of form; it could signify their resurgence as a competitive force in the AFL landscape. With their next home game approaching and plans to honor past legends Keith Greig and Wayne Schimmelbusch, the excitement is palpable.
As the two teams reflect on their recent performances, the key takeaway is that North Melbourne has shown that they can seize moments when it counts, while Melbourne must regroup and reassess their strategies moving forward.
