Sydney were too strong for North Melbourne in their AAMI Community Series clash on Sunday cruising to a 31-point victory.
John Longmire’s team took the lead just shy of quarter time and were able to keep the Roos at bay for the remainder of the match.
While it was the Swans who got the chocolates, all eyes were on No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis in his first official pre-season game, with the South Adelaide product looking well and truly up to the level with his two goal, 16-disposal performance.
We heard you like seeing Jason Horne-Francis kicking goals in the royal blue and white stripes:
— North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) March 6, 2022
🤤pic.twitter.com/c9NvlDpqiI
Although North Melbourne would be pleased with their young starlet’s outing, their midfield was ultimately bossed by the budding Sydney quartet of Justin McInerney (one goal, 30 disposals), Ollie Florent (one goal, 25 disposals), Chad Warner (27 disposals) and James Rowbottom (23 disposals) who helped the Swans to a dominant clearance differential of 45-32.
In addition to holding sway at the stoppage, the Swans were also able to control the ball in the air, taking 99 marks to North’s 58, on top of 13 inside 50 grabs to just two from the Kangaroos.
David Noble could put much of that down to the slippery conditions at GIANTS Stadium, but ultimately his young side wasn’t at the level of a classier and more adaptable Sydney outfit.
The Swans will also be thrilled that former No.1 pick Paddy McCartin was able to get through the clash, with the ex-Saint taking seven marks and picking up 14 disposals in defence.
Both Sydney and North Melbourne look to have escaped the clash relatively injury free ahead of their Round 1 match-ups against the Giants and Hawthorn respectively.
FINAL SCORE
Sydney: 0.12.10 (82)
North Melbourne: 0.7.9 (51)
GOALKICKERS
Sydney: Heeney 4, McLean 2, McDonald 2, Gulden, Florent, Hickey, McInerney
North Melbourne: Horne-Francis 2, Larkey 2, Greenwood, Lazzaro, Goldstein
BEST
Sydney: Heeney, McInerney, Florent, Rowbottom, Warner, Blakey
North Melbourne: Davies-Uniacke, Xerri, Horne-Francis, McDonald, Thomas