Melbourne has shaken off a sluggish first half to assert their dominance, cruising to a 57-point win over North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval.
The Dees came into the game without current captain Max Gawn and former captain Jack Viney and were scratchy throughout but after half time, they made scoreboard pressure count to post their fifth win of the season.
After a tight first quarter, Melbourne kicked 12 goals to two and took complete control of the contest.
Luke Jackson was ultra impressive in the absence of Gawn, handling himself magnificent as Melbourne’s only recognised ruckman while Christian Petracca continued his dominant season, kicking a goal and winning the ball 29 times.
Even in defeat, Luke McDonald found plenty of ball for North Melbourne in a 33-disposal game, toiling hard for his side.
Here’s everything you need to know!
The twin targets: Weideman and Larkey fire
Both sides would’ve been rapt with what they saw from their young key forward on Sunday night.
Melbourne has been crying out for much-improved forward connection this year and when Sam Weideman is presenting and leading like he did, you can see why so many inside the club rate him so highly.
Two goals from five scoring shots wouldn’t have been exactly what he was after but what it did show is how involved he was during the night.
Meanwhile down the other end, Nick Larkey was fantastic in Ben Brown’s absence, booting four straight goals during the clash despite limited supply.
If Rhyce Shaw can find a way to harness the talents of both Larkey and Brown up forward when the latter returns, brighter days are ahead for North Melbourne.
Adam Cooney not happening with the amount of centre bounces needing to be recalled in this match at the Adelaide Oval.
— AFL Nation (@AFLNation) August 9, 2020
"He's bounced it and it's nearly landed in Melbourne."#AFLDeesNorth
The injuries: Bonar, Anderson and Walker all go down
Aiden Bonar (shoulder) and Jed Anderson (eye) both finished Sunday night clash on the bench, compounding North Melbourne’s problems after a tough night at Adelaide Oval.
There’s also concern with Josh Walker after friendly fire from Majak Daw in a marking contest saw him limp off in the final term with a corked thigh.
The Roos have had a horror injury run this season, with the likes of Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington and Ben Brown all still on the sidelines.
More injury issues were the last thing the Roos needed.
What’s next?
The Roos back up in six days’ time against Brisbane at Metricon Stadium in what promises to be a tough encounter back in the sunshine state.
On the same day, Melbourne will ‘host’ Collingwood at the Gabba in a match they’ll need to win to keep their faint finals hopes alive.
FULL SCORE
Melbourne: 1.4, 4.7, 7.8, 13.14 (92)
North Melbourne: 3.2, 4.2, 5.4, 5.5 (35)
GOALS
Melbourne: Fritsch 2, Weideman 2, Petracca, Pickett, Brayshaw, Hannan, McDonald, Melksham, Spargo, Sparrow, Oliver
North Melbourne Larkey 4, Daw
BEST
Melbourne: Fritsch, Weideman, Petracca, Oliver, Brayshaw
North Melbourne: Larkey, McDonald, Higgins, Davies-Uniacke
Reports: Nil
Injuries
Melbourne: Nil
North Melbourne: Aiden Bonar (shoulder), Jed Anderson (eye), Josh Walker (corked thigh) and Robbie Tarrant (corked calf)
Crowd: 2,172 at Adelaide Oval