North Melbourne defeats Western Bulldogs by 16 points in Round 6 at Etihad Stadium

NORTH Melbourne prevailed in an absorbing but defensive top-of-the-table clash with the Western Bulldogs, streaking to a 6-0 start for the first time since 1979

Jarrad Waite. (AAP Image/Julian Smith).

NORTH Melbourne prevailed in an absorbing but defensive top-of-the-table clash with the Western Bulldogs, streaking to a 6-0 start to the season for the first time since 1979.

In an intriguing clash before a crowd of 47,622 spectators, this wasn’t the shootout that was hoped for.

It was the lowest scoring game of the season and the Kangaroos’ tally of 9.7 (61) was exactly half of their game average leading into the contest.

But that wouldn’t have worried coach Brad Scott.

North was able to shut down the slingshot run of the Bulldogs, with the 16-point win coming off the back of a strong midfield, a superb defensive effort and the importance of power-marking forwards.

Importantly, the Kangaroos produced a smart brand of football, displaying a versatility that some have questioned, and further stamping themselves as premiership contenders after making back-to-back preliminary finals.

Despite losing Kayne Turner to injury early, and having Sam Wright soldier on after looking in pain by quarter-time, the Roos appeared happy to turn this game into an arm-wrestle, which they clearly won.

They led by 12 points at the first three changes, but the Bulldogs always looked damaging and dangerous, even if the loss of their three running defenders — Bob Murphy, Jason Johannisen and Matt Suckling — hindered their usually clean exits from the back half.

Daniel Wells set the scene with a blistering first term of 13 touches, creating and cutting holes through the Dogs’ midfield, and he finished the match with 27 disposals, five clearances and four inside 50s.

He was the best man on the ground until halftime, even if he faded out of the contest at stages.

Jarrad Waite continued his outstanding form this season, with four of his team’s nine goals.

Daniel Wells was an outstanding contributor for the Roos. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

He displaced Wells from the best afield honours with his outstanding aerial work in attack. He was the only multiple goalkicker of the game, and his telling marks inside 50m proved the difference between the two sides.

He combined well with Drew Petrie, who got better as the game went on, and Ben Brown, who worked hard, as the Roos’ big men put the restructured Dogs’ defence under constant pressure.

Scott Thompson was the rock in defence. He clearly had the better of the dangerous but ineffectual Jake Stringer, having 26 touches as well as a game-high nine marks.

Jarrad Waite celebrates one of his four goals. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Each time the Dogs went forward, it seemed as if Thompson, Robbie Tarrant or Luke McDonald repelled the entries.

Lachie Hunter had a career-high 44 disposals (including 16 in the second term) and was clearly his team’s best player, even if his disposal rate lacked a little.

He worked desperately in an effort to drag his team back into the contest. Jack Macrae worked hard for his side, Luke Dahlhaus created some opportunities and Matthew Boyd and Koby Stevens gave plenty of yelp.

Four goals came in the opening 10 minutes as the Dogs held a one-point advantage with numerous early lead changes. But the Kangaroos took over when Waite kicked back-to-back goals late in the first term.

It opened up a small break that they continued to hold until the end of the night.

NORTH MELBOURNE: 4.1 5.4 8.6 9.7 (61)

WESTERN BULLDOGS: 2.1 3.4 6.6 6.9 (45)

BEST

North Melbourne: Waite, Thompson, Wells, Swallow, Petrie, Ziebell, Tarrant, McDonald

Western Bulldogs: Hunter, Macrae, Dahlhaus, Boyd, Stevens

GOALS

North Melbourne: Waite 4, Higgins, Brown, Ziebell, Thomas, Petrie

Western Bulldogs: Jong, Bontempelli, McLean, Dickson, Stevens, Dahlhaus

INJURIES

North Melbourne: Kayne Turner (hamstring), Sam Wright (ankle)

Western Bulldogs: Tom Liberatore (corked leg)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Donlon, Bannister, Pannell