North Melbourne’s seven game winning streak came to an end on Saturday following a loss to the Bulldogs at Etihad.
With finals assured, the Roos put in a lacklustre performance and were handed a 23-point defeat.
It was a match that started slowly, but ramped up fast and left the fans and media wanting more.
The Herald Sun
“The Western Bulldogs’ termination of North Melbourne’s seven-game winning streak was a game of three dour, dull and downright ordinary quarters followed by scintillating sass at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
“In an unbelievable game transformation, this Round 22 clash went from fizzle to sizzle in the blink of an eye.
“And if these two teams face off in an elimination final in two weeks — can we please order four serves of the finish and none of the start?” – Sam Landsberger
North had clamped down on the Bulldogs running game, but couldn’t hold on.
The Herald Sun
“It wasn’t rocket science, but it also wasn’t sustainable.
“With North leading by 16 points halfway through the second quarter, the dam wall started to leak.
“The spurts of pace and pizzazz had lifted the Bulldogs 23 points clear in the final quarter, when the wall went bust.” – Sam Landsberger
With the game up for grabs the Roos looked to pounce, but they couldn’t get ahead despite some valiant efforts.
AAP
“But up stepped former Bulldog Shaun Higgins, in his 150th match, and Jarrad Waite, who kicked two goals in two minutes, to take it to the line.”
AFL.com.au
“It was a long time to wait, but Shaun Higgins finally got his first game against his old club out of the way. The Kangaroos' recruit, largely seen as the pick-up of the year, was roundly booed by the Bulldogs crowd but didn't lower his colours. He was involved early and went on to kick 3.1, getting his goals by keeping his feet and reading the play in the forwardline. The typical class with which he has used the ball this season was on display, going at 81 per cent efficiency with his 16 possessions.” – Nathan Schmook
The Herald Sun
“Recruits Shaun Higgins and Jarrad Waite pierced through four quick goals to cut the margin to five points before the Bulldogs loaded their bazookas and put another side to the sword on their indoor fortress of Etihad Stadium.” – Sam Landsberger
The Age
“Shaun Higgins, hitherto unable to prompt many boos from his old team's faithful, found the space he cherishes for the Roos' first in almost a quarter and Jarrad Waite presented and finished coolly from long range to close the gap to less than a kick.” – Peter Hanlon
North’s midfield copped a lot of the blame for the loss after being beaten comprehensively despite several advantages.
The Age
“Goldstein had a whopping 54 hitouts yet Roughead, in his first game in six weeks, stuck manfully to his tall order; the Dogs lost the taps but won the clearances handsomely.” – Peter Hanlon
The Herald Sun
“The midfield battles seemed North’s to lose on paper.
“Ziebell, captain Andrew Swallow, classy Nick Dal Santo and tough nut Ben Cunnington lined up against baby faces Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli and Lachie Hunter.
“North’s glittering line-up was made to look second rate by this hungry pack of pups.” – Sam Landsberger
Robbie Tarrant played one of his best games for the season with Drew Petrie coming into some form ahead of the finals.
AFL.com.au
“In-form defender Robbie Tarrant started with a clear match-up, standing tall forward Jack Redpath, but by three-quarter time he'd been as good as a spare man. Tarrant had a career-high 23 possessions, 13 marks and seven rebound 50s at the last change, using the ball to that point at 100 per cent efficiency.
“So effective was he dropping off and taking intercept marks, the Kangaroos didn't have a role for Lachie Hansen and he was substituted in the third quarter with 10 possessions and two marks. It was an indication of how the Bulldogs' smaller forwardline can force the opposition to adjust, and Tarrant did that well.” – Nathan Schmook
The Herald Sun
“In the first quarter the stagnant ball movement from both sides allowed Robbie Tarrant to rake in five intercepted marks at halfback and Drew Petrie loomed large in attack.” – Sam Landsberger
The Age
“Drew Petrie's pack mark for the first goal of the game after a dozen minutes of prod-and-poke hinted that height would be an issue for the Dogs at more than just the stoppages; Robbie Tarrant took five intercept marks in the first 23 minutes, Petrie sat on Roughead's head on the wing, and Ben Brown seemed an ominous figure alongside Dale Morris.” – Peter Hanlon
