North Melbourne achieved a stunning 59-point victory over the Melbourne Demons at Marvel Stadium on March 23, 2025, marking the Kangaroos' first win of the season. This impressive performance came as Jack Darling celebrated his milestone 300th game with an energetic display, contributing two goals to the team's score of 19.11 (125) against Melbourne's 9.12 (66).
The Kangaroos started off slowly, but their tenacity shone through as they scored massively in the fourth quarter, netting eight goals while restricting Melbourne to just one. This dramatic turnaround transformed a much tighter contest—just an 18-point lead for North Melbourne at three-quarter time—into a decisive blow, underscoring the team's resilience.
Darling's notable celebration included being supported by 11 individual goal kickers on the North Melbourne side. The young draftee Finn O'Sullivan made waves with a spectacular spin move, while Colby McKercher and Jacob Konstanty both celebrated their first AFL goals, adding to the thrill of victory. Cam Zurhaar, who faced criticism following a previous game against the Western Bulldogs, silenced his detractors by scoring 4.1.
Key player Tristan Xerri showcased his skills with 29 hitouts and 12 clearances, while Tom Powell dominated the midfield with 31 disposals. The attacking efforts of Zurhaar, alongside Paul Curtis—who contributed three goals and 22 disposals—and Nick Larkey—who also scored three goals—were pivotal in securing the win.
As the match reached the fourth quarter, North Melbourne maintained a three-goal lead, but then surged forward to kick six unanswered goals in just over six minutes, rattling the Demons' spirits. Notably, Larkey's two goals in quick succession early in the final quarter exemplified the team's momentum shift and sparked great jubilation amongst the Kangaroos supporters.
Looking ahead, North Melbourne aims to build on this positive momentum as they prepare to face the Adelaide Crows at the Adelaide Oval on March 30, 2025. While the absence of defender Jackson Archer, who is serving a three-match suspension, poses a challenge, there is optimism surrounding the potential return of key defender Griffin Logue, who has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury. The match is set to kick off at 3:20 PM AEDT.
Final scores documented an astounding North Melbourne 19.11 (125) to Melbourne's 9.12 (66). Goals for North Melbourne included contributions from Zurhaar (4), Larkey (3), Curtis (3), Darling (2), Konstanty, McKercher, and several others. For Melbourne, Chandler scored three goals, with other contributions from Fritsch, Henderson, Oliver, Petracca, Turner, and van Rooyen.
The best performers recognized from the match for North Melbourne were Xerri, Powell, Zurhaar, and Curtis. In contrast, Melbourne's key players were Oliver, Chandler, Petracca, Gawn, Lindsay, and Viney.
Injuries were reported on both sides, but North Melbourne managed to emerge unscathed during this encounter, contrasting starkly with Melbourne, which faced a setback with the injury of Jefferson (hand).
The Kangaroos' spirited performance not only celebrated Darling's significant milestone but also revitalized hopes for the ongoing season, making this victory one to remember for fans and players alike.
