Match result

North Melbourne 16.7.103 defeated Collingwood 9.12.66 at Holden Centre, Melbourne.

In action

AFL-listed

Majak Daw, Paul Ahern, Mitch Hibberd, Nick Larkey, Ben McKay, Sam Durdin, Daniel Nielson, Will Walker, Braydon Preuss, Mason Wood, Tristan Xerri, Gordon Narrier, Cameron Zurhaar, Tom Jeffries, Sam Wright, Alex Morgan, Declan Mountford

VFL-listed

Mitch Rodd, Nick Rippon, Jordan Harper, Chris Jansen, Nash Holmes, Louis Cunningham, Tyronne Leonardis

Story of the game

Amid a bustling Olympic-park precinct with an AFL match being played at the MCG, an NBL Grand Final at Hisense Arena, an A-League soccer game at AAMI Park and Lana Del Ray playing at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, North ran out onto Collingwood’s training ground with little fanfare for its third practice match, hoping to make it three-from-three.

Braydon Preuss got the Roos off to a perfect start booting the first goal of the match and from there, North never looked back leading the Pies from start to finish.

The home-side had the likes of Jarryd Blair, Alex Fasolo and Matt Sharenberg at its disposal but was simply outgunned and outworked by a determined North outfit.

With Majak Daw putting in a best-on-ground performance, North was able to repel countless Magpie surges and attack from its back-half.

The lead was a slim nine points at quarter-time but ballooned out to 27 at the main break, and 42 at three-quarter time.

In the end, the Roos came away with a convincing 47-point victory and kept their perfect pre-season record intact.

Best of the AFL

Majak Daw

North coach David Loader was quick to idenitfy North’s best player after the game, labelling Daw a standout.

“He was simply fantastic,” Loader said.

“His game has gone to another level down back and tonight was really encouraging for everyone to see.

“His athleticism and closing speed will hold him in good stead, but it was the way in which he attacked the contest and the man tonight that was most pleasing.”

Senior development coach Gavin Brown echoed Loader’s sentiments saying an AFL call-up for Daw was inevitable.

“Based on what we saw tonight, it would be impossible not to pick him in the coming weeks should his form continue,” Brown commented.

Best of the VFL

Nick Rippon

Rippon was everywhere.

A JJ Liston trophy winner, the 24-year-old was a class above accumulating disposals at will.

“You can see why we were so keen to get him to North,” Loader said.

“He’s a talented young player and adds some real experience and hardness to our side.”

An interrupted pre-season didn’t impact the AFL aspirant who has played almost 80 VFL games and represented the Big V.

Talking points

The return

All eyes though were on Sam Wright, who made his return from the foot and ankle troubles that have kept him out of action for two seasons.

The talented defender made a cautious start, but quickly found his feet and played just over fifty per-cent of game time.

He was pulled from action half-way through the third term unscathed and relieved.

Q3 - Sam Wright tries to convince the GPS guy to let him back on... but wasn’t successful. He’s done for the day and unscathed #BeAShinboner pic.twitter.com/uiPxQAbja2 — North Melbourne VFL (@NorthVFL) March 31, 2018

Majak Happens

Anyone sceptical about Daw’s move into defence needed to witness his sensational performance on Saturday evening.

The 27-year-old attacked the contest with an unmatched intensity, displaying elite reaction time and reading of the play.

On several occasions he split the packs to spoil or mark, leaving the North coaches delighted with his efforts.



Hot-streak

After seven goals last week, Nick Larkey adding another bag of four, and remains one of the standout pre-season performers down at Arden St.

Game delay

There were frightening scenes nearing the end of the second term when Magpie youngster Kayle Kirby collapsed behind play.

The quarter was ended prematurely with an ambulance and paramedics quickly summoned to the ground.

The 19-year-old was rushed to the Epworth hospital in a stable condition and is reportedly recovering from an irregular heartbeat. He is now recovering well according to the club.