North Melbourne has suffered a 12-point defeat to Frankston in its final home game of the season on Sunday afternoon.

The Kangaroos took the game right down to the wire, cutting the margin to six points late in the final term, but the Dolphins held on to pick up the 13.12 (90) to 12.6 (78) victory at Arden Street.

The defeat also mathematically eliminates North Melbourne from finals contention.

The hosts burst out of the blocks at ground level and on the scoreboard, capitalising on their territory dominance with four of the opening five goals, before a four-goal flurry from the visitors saw them snatch the lead before half-time.

Player watch

Roos fans should be excited about the development of Taylor Goad (19 disposals, 34 hitouts), who continues to add more strings to his bow. Goad was clean by hand, and used his exceptional physicality and positional work to give his midfielders first use and take a number of intercept marks as a spare behind the ball.

The No.22 was the firestarter for his side’s blistering start as he repeatedly popped up at the centre of the contest, picking up nine disposals (six contested), nine hitouts and five clearances in the opening term.

Will Phillips (21 disposals, 10 clearances) completed the one-two punch in the middle, with the midfielder staying on the move to pounce on Goad’s tap work. 

It was another brilliant all-round performance from the former top three pick, using his speed to sweep through the contest and win the clearance, while piling on the pressure with seven tackles.

Finnbar Maley (14 disposals, seven marks) was the most dangerous of the Roos forwards, kicking three majors. The big man used his leap to win a number of contested marks, including a screamer over the defender to set up his first.

Maley was also heavily involved the Roos’ late charge, playing extended time in the ruck, with his best moment coming from a clever tap to Phillips leading to a late Nathaniel Sulzberger goal.

Matt Whitlock also continues to come to his own since moving into the forward line, kicking another two goals against the Dolphins.

The draftee was becoming heavily involved in transition, using his overhead marking and foot skills close to goal and across the wings to set up goalkicking opportunities, especially in the opening term when he picked up seven disposals, four score involvements and a goal.

Both Kallan Dawson and Wil Dawson had their moments down back as they had seven intercepts apiece, both fighting through physical one-on-one contests to spoil or intercept the ball out of the air.

Adam Tomlinson (23 disposals, seven intercepts) complemented them well with his intercept work down back, while Matthew Keast (16 disposals, eight marks) continues to be an important cog in the Roos midfield with his clean ball use and decision-making.

KANGAROOS v DOLPHINS Full match coverage and stats

What the coach said

VFL senior coach Tom Lynch on the defeat: “Any time you compete and put so much effort into trying to win, the disappointment is attached to that, but we were also really pleased with the effort we brought today.

“Our VFL program is a really important part of our football club and to have as many VFL players play today and perform the way that they did is a real positive for those guys and their connection with our AFL-listed players, which is really pleasing.”

On Goad: “Big ‘Goady’ took another step today. He’s certainly developing really nicely. There is lots of excitement around him, but the important thing for us is he is working hard on his game and we’re excited about what is in front of him.

“He’s got a great appetite and desire to be really good. That self-drive is a great attribute to have. He works really hard at his game and spends a lot of time on his craft.

“He’s had a lot of opportunities this year being the number one ruck, and is certainly starting to hold his own against seasoned men in the VFL, which has been the most impressive thing.

On Maley and Whitlock: “Finnbar is a really strong focal point ahead of the ball for us. He straightens us up and competes both on the air and on the ground. He’s had a terrific season, with some AFL opportunities in that as well, which has been really good for him.

“Since swinging Whitlock forward in the last three weeks, he’s been a real shining light down there. We’re starting to see some of his strong attributes that he has in his game and he’s going to keep getting better and better as he moves into another off-season and pre-season. We’re really excited about his future.

“Our talls are definitely something to be excited about.”

Next up

North Melbourne will travel up to Southport for its final game of the season on Saturday, August 16. The first bounce is scheduled for 11.05am AEST.

NORTH MELBOURNE      5.2    7.3      9.5     12.6    (78)
FRANKSTON                         3.1    9.6    11.9   13.12   (90)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Maley 3, Whitlock 2, R Stevens, O’Sullivan, van Dam, Tarrant, Lowe, Clarkson, Sulzberger
Frankston: Ellison 3, Gown 3, Johnson 2, O’Leary, Lambert, Burke, Blamires, Moran

BEST
North Melbourne: Goad, Whitlock, Maley, Phillips, Lowe, Macpherson

LATE CHANGES
North Melbourne: Urquhart (illness) replaced by Lambert