Any post-match analysis has to begin with the spectacular role Scott Thompson played on Lance Franklin.
Often a nemesis to North, Franklin has been kept goalless in the pair’s last two meetings. In doing so, Thompson joined some rare company.
Since the beginning of 2006, Franklin has been held goalless on multiple occasions by just three opponents. The first two were Ted Richards and Brian Lake, with Thompson joining an exclusive group.
Perhaps the most impressive part of his performance was his ability to rebound from the defensive half.
The number 16 had an equal team-high 9 rebound 50’s to go with his 11 intercept possessions. Through four rounds, Thompson leads the competition in the statistic.
| Player | Intercept possessions (2014) |
| Scott Thompson | 37 |
| Steven May | 34 |
| Heath Shaw | 33 |
Along with his fellow key-defenders, Thompson was a big reason why North was able to hold Sydney to just six goals from its 66 inside 50’s.
On the surface, this appears an unsustainable plan – as a point of comparison, Hawthorn had 69 inside 50’s the previous evening on the way to kicking 23 goals.
However, a deeper dive into the statistic reveals the Kangaroos are one of the best sides in the competition in defending opposition entries inside 50. While it shouldn’t go without saying that the side won’t want to give up 66 entries every week, they are well equipped to deal with it.
During the first month of 2014, North ranks second in fewest scores conceded from inside 50’s, and first in fewest goals conceded from inside 50's.
| 2014 | Scores conceded from inside 50's | Goals conceded from inside 50's |
| North Melbourne | 32% | 15.1% |
| AFL rank | 2nd | 1st |
On Sunday at the SCG, North forced Sydney to enter the 50 from the wider areas of the ground. It isn’t ground breaking for a side to attempt that – any quality defensive team aims to protect the corridor.
However, North did so in a very damaging way – only 19 of Sydney’s 66 entries came via what Champion Data classified as the centre of the ground. Combine that with 28 of the 66 directly resulting in a Kangaroos’ possession and it becomes evident how Brad Scott’s team was so effective.
| Inside 50 entries | Left side of the ground | Middle of the ground | Right side of the ground |
| Sydney | 27 | 19 | 20 |
In the week leading up to the game, NMFC.com.au highlighted North’s return to form in scoring from stoppages, coupled with Sydney’s surprising decrease in the same area.
Both trends continued in much the same vein, North enjoying almost a five goal edge from stoppages. In particular the second half saw the sides go in opposite directions – from a minimal difference the Roos were much more efficient.
| Round 4 | Stoppages clearances | Points from stoppages | Points per 100 |
| North Melbourne | 24 | 31 | 129.2 |
| Sydney | 21 | 9 | 19 |
| Differential | +3 | +22 | +110.2 |
