NORTH Melbourne has gone down to Hawthorn by 29 points in their NAB Challenge clash at Skilled Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Lance Franklin starred for the winners with five goals as Hawthorn ran out 15.9 (99) to 10.10 (70) winners.

Former Kangaroo David Hale made an impression against his old side kicking the first goal of the match and two in the first quarter.

For North, Andrew Swallow, Leigh Adams and Daniel Wells were influential through the midfield, while first-gamer Cameron Pederson was solid in defence.

Defender Cameron Richardson looks likely to secure a spot in North's defence for round one after another strong display, while Lindsay Thomas gave the Kangaroos' forward line a spark, finishing the day with three goals.

North's attack was missing Lachie Hansen, who coach Brad Scott said after the match had been rested so that his side could practise playing with one tall target as they will have to do in round one when Drew Petrie is sidelined though suspension.

After being badly beaten in its round one NAB Cup matches against Geelong and the Western Bulldogs, North can take solace that while winless this pre-season it has been beaten by three of this year's most highly fancied sides.
 
Scott said after the match the performances of Pederson, Richardson and Atley had been a positive for North, but acknowledged his side had to improve its ball use.

"I think we’ve still got quite a bit of work to do," he said.

"We knew that. We thought it was a pretty dramatic improvement on last week. I thought our effort in the contest was really good but we cost ourselves with a lot of errors."

"Generally as a list we’ve got a fair way to go with our skill development."

Scott said while it was "technically irrelevant" his side had yet to register a win this pre-season it would be ideal to get some wins on the board before the start of the home and away season.

"I think for morale, even if it’s subconscious, players like to win. Whenever there’s a scoreboard you like to come out in front," Scott said.

Hawthorn   5.2       9.4   12.7   15.9 (99)
North Melbourne   2.3       4.4   8.7   10.10 (70)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 5, Roughead 4, Hale 2, Lewis, Osborne, Rioli, Schneider
North Melbourne: Thomas 3, Warren 2, Wright, Wells, Petrie, Adams, Mullett

BEST
Hawthorn: Franklin, Roughead, Mitchell, Bruce, Burgoyne, Gibson, Whitecross
North Melbourne: Swallow, Adams, Wells, Richardson, Thomas

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
North Melbourne: Delaney (calf)

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs