NORTH Melbourne has fallen to the Sydney Swans by 15 points in a see-saw match at the SCG on Sunday.

After pushing the Western Bulldogs last week in caretaker coach Darren Crocker's first game in charge, the Kangaroos responded again with an encouraging display but fell just short 15.10 (100) to 13.7 (85).

Veteran Adam Simpson, the only North player from the 1996 flag-winning side against the Swans, was a ball-magnet.

Josh Gibson did an effective defensive job for North on Adam Goodes while Corey Jones booted three majors - all in the second quarter.

In a see-sawing, exciting game, the lead was swapped throughout the day before an exciting final quarter saw each side take the lead but the Swans hold on for the four points.

The first term was an arm-wrestle with North heading into the first break just a point in arrears.

Continuing on from last week's attacking footy display, North played on at every opportunity and reaped the rewards with majors to Andrew Swallow, Michael Firrito and Leigh Harding, the latter roving brilliantly on the boundary line and booting home from just inside the 50.

Brent Harvey, playing with a broken toe, was finding plenty of space across the half forward line and used the football intelligently while veteran Adam Simpson was a ball magnet with 10 disposals for the opening term.

And it was Simpson who marked and played on quickly to help on-fire Jones boot his first of three majors for the quarter as the Kangaroos wrested the ascendancy to take a five point lead going into the main break.

But a four goal to two third term swung the momentum back in the Swans' favour. North with goals to Lachie Hansen and Andrew Swallow, who converted a free from in front after a high hit, the only joy in a quarter which saw the home side up the intensity and take a seven point lead.

Both sides traded goal for goal in a desperate final term.

Firrito's spectacular grab taken with one hand got the final quarter off to a super start as his accurate kick reduced the deficit to a point.

Ben Ross gave the Kangaroos the lead but a free against Harding gave the Swans' Craig Bird a chance to kick for a lead and he took his chance.

Hansen's major kept North in the contest. Bird with a brave mark extended the lead by eight points in the shadows of the final siren.

Harding could've reduced the lead but blasted wide of the big posts in what was a crucial miss moments later.

The Swans held on for the four points in front of 21,929 fans.

North now looks ahead to playing the Hawks on Sunday at Aurora stadium.

Sydney Swans     3.4  7.6  11.7  15.10 (100)
North Melbourne  3.3  8.5  10.6  13.7 (85)
   
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Barlow 2, J Bolton 2, Goodes 2, Bird 2, O’Loughlin 2, Richards, Roberts-Thomson, Shaw, Veszpremi, O’Keefe,
North Melbourne: Jones 3, Harding 2, Swallow 2, Firrito 2, Hansen 2, Harris, Ross

BEST
Sydney Swans: O’Keefe, Jack, Kirk, Roberts-Thomson, McVeigh, Grundy
North Melbourne: Gibson, Simpson, Swallow, Firrito, Pratt

Injuries
Sydney Swans: McVeigh (hamstring)
North Melbourne: TBC

Reports: Nil

Umpires: James, Ryan, Schmitt

Official crowd: 21,929 at the SCG

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs.

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