Mid-season draftee Ollie Griffin kicked three goals as Collingwood overran North Melbourne in Friday afternoon's VFL curtain-raiser at Marvel Stadium.

The Magpies broke the game open with four unanswered goals to start the third quarter after the Kangaroos had closed to within a kick at half-time.

They kicked on to win by 43 points, 17.16 (118) to 11.9 (75).

MAGPIES v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

Bailey Scott delivered a superb individual midfield performance for the Roos, while Lachy Brewer kicked his first goal since joining the club as a category B rookie.

Player watch

The tireless Bailey Scott enjoyed a day out on the ball, racking up a game-high 41 disposals and six clearances. Comfortably the Kangaroos' most effective onballer, he was damaging at clearances all afternoon and offered drive with the ball.

Mid-season recruit Ollie Griffin showed why his nickname is 'Grippo', using his sure hands to present a dangerous target inside 50. He kicked two first-half goals and added an incredible third in the last quarter, somehow splitting the sticks from the boundary line in the right forward pocket. He could have added to his tally if not for two missed shots in the third term. 

Zane Duursma (two goals, 15 disposals, four marks) came in for close attention from the Magpie defence, toiling with minimal return for much of the day. He showed strength in breaking a tackle to set up a River Stevens goal just before half time, and his persistence and creativity were rewarded in the last quarter with two deserved goals.

Robert Hansen jnr (27 touches, six marks) continued his fine form at VFL level, while former basketballer Lachy Brewer had a moment to celebrate, kicking his first goal since signing for the Roos as a category B rookie in pre-season.  

On his long-awaited return from a knee injury, young utility Luke Urquhart will have been pleased to get through unscathed. He earned 12 touches and four clearances playing limited gametime. He showed courage in putting his head over the ball and earning a free kick before setting up an opportunity for James Tarrant in the third quarter, and contributed four inside 50s.

The reliable Samuel Linder (23 disposals) and Matthew Keast (19 touches, seven marks) were also solid performers in defeat for the Roos, while Ollie Lowe kicked two goals.

What the coach said

VFL coach Adam Marcon on the result: "It was a tough second half. We did a really good job to get ourselves back in it towards the end of the second quarter. Unfortunately we lost too many contests, our pressure dropped right away in the second half and we weren't able to capitalise on the opportunities, so I'm pretty disappointed with how we finished the game."

On Bailey Scott: "He was awesome. He's been really strong all year, particularly in the last month, and I couldn't be prouder of the way he's covered the ground today and the role he's played for us."

On forward pair Ollie Griffin and Zane Duursma: "I really enjoy coaching Ollie Griffin. He gives himself the best opportunity to hit the scoreboard when the ball's in his area. He just competes really hard and he's obviously brave in the air, so I'm delighted with how he's going.

"Zane's attitude and effort was also really strong all day. He had to fight pretty hard under plenty of pressure down there, so I'm glad he got a bit of a reward on the scoreboard."

On Luke Urquhart's return: "It was great to have 'Urqy' back, albeit in limited minutes. He's a really important person around our group and it's just really pleasing that he's back out there playing footy. Hopefully we'll see the best of him in the next few weeks." 

Next up

The Kangaroos enjoy a nine-day break before hosting the Casey Demons at Arden St Oval next Sunday, July 19. The match is at 12.05pm.

COLLINGWOOD            4.5   5.10   11.14  17.16 (118)
NORTH MELBOURNE    2.4   5.4     7.8      11.9 (75)

GOALS
Collingwood: Mahoney 5, McCarthy 2, Phillips 2, Podhajski 2, Browne, Grey, Hayes, Saxena, Sullivan, West
North Melbourne: Griffin 3, Duursma 2, Lowe 2, Brewer, Coleman-Jones, Gollant, Stevens

BEST
North Melbourne: Scott, Griffin, Hansen jnr, Lowe, Linder, Keast