After an even first quarter when Melbourne led by six points, North Melbourne held sway for the next two quarters but the game was still in the balance at the final break. However, the Demons were smashed all over the ground in that last half hour to go down by 59 points, prefacing a tough year ahead for the team.

MELBOURNE 4.5.29 6.9.45 8.10.58 9.12.66

NORTH MELBOURNE 3.5.23 8.9.57 11.10.76 19.11.125

GOALS

MELBOURNE Chandler 3 Fritsch Henderson Oliver Petracca Turner Van Rooyen

NORTH MELBOURNE Zurhaar 4 Curtis Larkey 3 Darling 2 Konstanty McKercher Parker Powell Scott Simpkin Xerri

BEST

MELBOURNE Oliver Chandler Petracca Gawn Lindsay Viney

NORTH MELBOURNE Xerri Powell Zurhaar Curtis Daniel Comben

THE TEAMS 

NORTH MELBOURNE

B C. Comben, A. Corr, L. McDonald 
HB B. Scott, C. Daniel, C. McKercher 
C F. O'Sullivan, L. Davies-Uniacke, J. Simpkin 
HF H. Sheezel, N. Larkey, R. Hansen Jr
F P. Curtis, J. Darling, C. Zurhaar
FOLL T. Xerri, T. Powell, L. Parker
I/C M. Bergman, J. Konstanty, F.  Maley, W. Phillips T. Pink SUB D. Stephens
EMG M. Bergman, F. Maley, B. Teakle

IN T. Pink, D. Stephens

OUT A. Archer (suspended), G. Logue (hamstring)

MELBOURNE  

B J. Lever, T. McDonald, C. Salem
HB B. Howes, H. Petty, J. Bowey 
C E. Langdon, C. Oliver, X. Lindsay 
HF T. Sparrow, M. Jefferson, J. Henderson 
F B. Fritsch, J. Van Rooyen, K. Chandler
FOLL M. Gawn, C. Petracca, J. Viney
I/C T. Rivers, H. Sharp, C. Spargo, D. Turner SUB T. Woewodin
EMG J. Adams, H. Langford, B. Laurie 

IN C. Spargo, D. Turner, T. Woewodin

OUT A. Johnson (suspended), H. Langford (omitted), C. Windsor (foot)

Gawn is going to have to absolutely towel up Xerri this weekend to have any chance of another AA jacket.

8 minutes ago, gs77 said:

Gawn is going to have to absolutely towel up Xerri this weekend to have any chance of another AA jacket.

I’m sure that is his only thought this week.