North Melbourne’s finals hopes have taken another cruel hit, with a goal after the siren sealing a nail-biting two-point Geelong win on Sunday afternoon.

A late Robert Hansen jnr goal looked to have stolen a dramatic victory for the Kangaroos, but an after-the-siren goal from the Cats was enough to break Roos hearts and secure the 15.12 (102) to 16.8 (104) victory at Arden Street.

It was an almighty fightback from the Roos, snatching their first lead of the game in the dying seconds after a game-high 41-point Geelong lead midway through the third term, but the Cats’ accuracy in front of goal proved to be the difference.

KANGAROOS v CATS Full match coverage and stats

Youngsters Geordie Payne and Matt Whitlock each kicked four goals for the Kangaroos, while Cooper Trembath kicked three. 

Player watch

Returning from a foot injury, Eddie Ford finished with 24 disposals and 11 intercepts off half-back. His performance was built off the back of his positional work, dropping into space to intercept as the loose defender, while using his speed and foot skills to break the lines.

The No.40 showed no signs of rust in the opening term, picking up eight touches and four intercepts, with his best effort coming with the goal assist handball for Payne’s second after working deep into the forward 50.

George Wardlaw was a standout in his second consecutive VFL game, picking up 19 disposals and seven tackles in a brutal midfield battle. The former first-round pick was fierce with his attack on the footy, and was clean in scrappy conditions.

Geordie Payne (14 disposals, seven tackles) brought maximum impact once again, kicking an equal game-high four goals. Returning to his role as a full-time forward, the livewire looked the most dangerous inside 50, consistently finding space to get repeat looks at goal.

Matt Whitlock thrived in his switch to the forward line, slotting four goals for the game, including two in the last quarter to keep his side in the hunt. 

The swingman used his physicality to win a number of one-on-one contests and attacked the ball hard in the air across the ground, setting up opportunities for himself and his teammates in front of goal and in transition.

Versatile forward Cooper Trembath (nine disposals, four marks) was also handy with his three goals. The mid-season draftee applied himself as a real target, particularly in the air, where he took a number of overhead marks in difficult conditions. 

Moving up to the wing, Brayden George (20 disposals, six tackles) used his running power to help shift the ball forward and give himself freedom to set up the Roos’ forwards. 

George patrolled the wide areas with his pressure and ball use, going at 85 per cent disposal efficiency, and was one of his side’s best early, picking up nine disposals and six marks in the opening term.

Veteran defender Adam Tomlinson (31 disposals, 10 intercepts) played a large hand in the Roos’ efforts with his intercept work, supported by half-back Ben Huggard (17 disposals, 10 intercepts) who was superb with his intercept work at ground level.

What the coach said

VFL coach Tom Lynch on the defeat: “I think what was really pleasing was our players’ ability within the game. We were obviously able to reset within our breaks, but credit has to go to the players.

“They were able to continue to have belief and stay really well connected with each other and swing back the momentum of the game in our favour. That can be really hard to do, especially when you are down by 40 points and in tough conditions. To their credit, they certainly did that and gave us a chance to be in a really close finish.”

On Whitlock: “We knew his flexibility of being able to play at both ends.

“I was super pleased with his performance today. Early on in the game, he lost a couple of contests, but he was able to turn that around in the second half and was rewarded through his goals, but also set up a number of other goals throughout the contest as well.”

On Wardlaw: “To get George back in the fold and playing like he did today was terrific for us and exciting for the footy club.

“He’s such an important part of the future of the club with the way he plays the game, and we were certainly able to play some really good football with his influence.”

Next up

North Melbourne will travel to Trevor Barker Beach Oval to take on the Sandringham Zebras next Sunday, August 3. The first bounce is scheduled for 2.05pm AEST.

NORTH MELBOURNE      3.1     6.4      11.8    15.12  (102)
GEELONG                        7.1      11.2    14.5    16.8    (104)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Payne 4, Whitlock 4, Trembath 3, Goad, Hotton, Scott, Hansen jnr
Geelong: Polkinghorne 3, Wiltshire 2, Clark 2, Henry 2, Ivisic 2, Retschko, Mellor, Clohesy, Edwards, Murray

BEST
North Melbourne: Payne, Huggard, Trembath, Whitlock, Keast, van Dam