North Melbourne defeats Melbourne by 5 points at Blundstone Arena, Hobart in Round 3

MELBOURNE asked all the right questions, but it was North Melbourne that madly scrambled to find the answers at Blundstone Arena on Sunday.

Footy game pics

MELBOURNE asked all the right questions, but it was North Melbourne that madly scrambled to find the answers at Blundstone Arena on Sunday.

Its hoodoo over the Demons extended to 15 straight and a decade with the frenetic five-point win, leaving Melbourne — who last played in Tasmania in 1952 — without a win on the Apple Isle.

The Roos’ record remains unblemished for 2016 — but they certainly did it the hard way.

The setting in Hobart might have been picturesque, but what unfolded in the first quarter didn’t look like the day was going to be pretty for the Dees, before a pulsating contest of goals and grit unfolded — with a bit of help from the elements to spice things up.

Seven straight goals with a strong wind opened the day for the Roos before Melbourne managed to get on the board with a rushed behind after 25 minutes.

But as if their flight arrived at quarter-time, a Demons outfit a world away from last week’s flat effort launched its assault in the second, ensuring the first half was that of two distinct quarters.

It was game on.

Outclassed in the first quarter, the Demons stamped their authority on the second, using the wind to advantage to pile on seven unanswered goals in 20 minutes and punishing the Roos with pressure.

Jesse Hogan booted three after starting in the centre and looked back to his old self after last week’s criticism of his body language, finding space inside 50.

They refused to relent, drawing level midway through the final term and not only nipping at the Roos’ heels, but biting hard on them.

Jack Watts was frustrated at times, none more so when he elected to pass — eventually turning over — instead of taking a shot at goal that could have put the Demons in front midway through the last quarter.

With 20 seconds remaining, the Demons pushed forward with gusto and looked a chance to secure a last-gasp win.

But it was the experience of North Melbourne that prevailed in the seesaw contest, encapsulated in veteran Brent Harvey who turned back the clock to boot his highest goal tally in 412 games with six and All-Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein reigning supreme with five after a scintillating ruck duel with Max Gawn.

Bernie Vince is likely to come under match review panel scrutiny after an apparent elbow to the chin felled Kangaroo Jamie Macmillan late in the third term, having already collected Jack Ziebell — who required attention from club medicos — with a heavy hit high on his shoulder earlier in the quarter.

Taylor Garner was the only serious injury concern for both sides, benched for the entire last quarter after injuring his hamstring.

NORTH MELBOURNE 21.10 (136)

def

MELBOURNE 20.11 (131)

GOALS

North Melbourne: Harvey 6, Goldstein 5, Waite 4, Gibson Petrie 2, Ziebell Macmillan

Melbourne: Kent 4, Hogan Watts 3, Oliver Gawn 2, Viney Tyson N Jones Harmes Dunn Vandenberg

BEST

North Melbourne: Harvey Goldstein Cunnington Waite Gibson

Melbourne: Gawn Vince Oliver Hogan Tyson

Originally published as North Melbourne defeats Melbourne by 5 points at Blundstone Arena, Hobart in Round 3