Marsh Series: Young forwards Nick Larkey and Curtis Taylor step up in North Melbourne’s win over Sydney

With Ben Brown doubtful for Round 1 with a calf injury, young forward Taylor Curtis has hopped into Round 1 contention with an eye-catching display in in North Melbourne’s win over Sydney.

Nick Larkey kicks a goal against Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

North Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell has emerged unscathed from his first match of 2020 as his side rounded out its Marsh Series with a hard-fought victory against Sydney.

Ziebell (calf) joined fellow veteran Ben Cunnington (hip) in playing the first half at the Twin Ovals, with the Roos recovering from a 20-point deficit early in the third quarter to record a 14.6 (90) to 12.7 (79) win.

The courageous captain had seven disposals as he blew out of the cobwebs before being mothballed in the second half.

In his absence Shaun Higgins (31 touches, seven tackles and two goals) led the midfield charge, ruckman Todd Goldstein shone while young forward Curtis Taylor impressed across half-forward with two goals from 21 possessions.

North Melbourne coach Rhyce Shaw said Curtis was a contender for Round 1.

“Since Christmas he has really put his head down and really worked hard,” Shaw said.

“He knows there is going to be positional challenges there for him so he has to make sure every post is a winner and he did that today.

“His last two games have been pretty good but I thought today he got a bit of reward for his workrate, he has put his hand up for round one.

“We have a big match committee in a couple of week’s times, we have a few guys lining up to get in.

“It is going to be an interesting couple of weeks but I’m really pleased with where we sit.”

North Melbourne forward Curtis Taylor gets a handball away as he’s tackled by Aliir Aliir. Picture: Getty Images

North jumped the Swans in the opening term, kicking the first three goals of the contest through Goldstein, Nick Larkey and Taylor inside the first nine minutes.

Tom Papley (four goals) got Sydney on the board on his return after from State of Origin duty, and after trailing by 12 points at the first change the visitors flicked the switch with the first four goals of the second stanza.

Midfield bull Josh Kennedy was instrumental in the comeback, picking up 23 possessions in the first half (15 contested), as well as five clearances and six tackles.

Papley booted the opening major of the third quarter to push Sydney’s lead to 20 points before North responded, piling on five unanswered goals.

Watch every match of every round of the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE & On-Demand with KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Two came directly from Swan turnovers, with Larkey intercepting a kick-in and snapping truly from 20m before Paul Ahern goaled on the run from 50m shortly after when the Roos forced a mistake at halfback.

Larkey finished with three goals.

Tasmanian Aaron Hall, making his first appearance for North after taking time away from the club last year for mental health and then missing the first pre-season match with back spasms, kicked the first goal of the last term to push the margin to 11 points, only for Sydney to respond through Papley and Lewis Taylor to regain the lead.

However Jack Mahony put the hosts back in front before Jed Anderson sealed the victory entering time on.

Jared Polec is tackled high by Sydney's Nick Blakey. Picture; Getty Images

Jared Polec (17 disposals and a goal) was his classy self in his first out of the year after overcoming a foot complaint.

Kennedy finished with a match high 37 disposals (22 contested) for Sydney, Callum Mills had 26 while Luke Parker gathered 25.

Isaac Heeney (broken thumb) was another to get through his first hitout, spending the majority of the match up forward to collect 11 touches and a goal, while former Brisbane Lion Lewis Taylor impressed with 25 disposals and a goal.

Despite the defeat the effort was much improved from Sydney, who were handed a 94-point hiding from cross town rivals GWS in their opening fixture.

Shaw confirmed the plan was always to ease Ziebell and Cunnington back into action.

While both teams got through unscathed, Sydney faces an anxious wait on Will Hayward after he was reported for a high bump on Curtis in the opening term.

“I didn’t see on the replay, sometimes it is a bit hard to get them out here, the coverage, so I can’t comment,” coach John Longmire said.

NORTH MELBOURNE 5.0 6.1 11.4 14.6 (90)

SYDNEY 3.1 8.3 10.5 12.7 (79)

GOALS

North Melbourne: Larkey 3, Higgins 2, Curtis Taylor 2, Goldstein, Polec, Zurhaar, Ahern, Hall, Mahony, Anderson

Sydney: Papley 4, Rowbottom, Lloyd, McCartin, Heeney, Hayward, Kennedy, Sinclair, Taylor

INJURIES

North Melbourne: Nil

Sydney: Nil

Reports: Will Hayward (Sydney) for forceful front-on conduct on Taylor (North Melbourne) in the first quarter

Umpires: Donlon, Rosebury, Gavine, Power

Official crowd: TBC at Kingston Twin Ovals

Originally published as Marsh Series: Young forwards Nick Larkey and Curtis Taylor step up in North Melbourne’s win over Sydney