After a disappointing loss last week, North Melbourne have redeemed themselves with a narrow two-point upset over Sydney in what was an enthralling encounter.
Despite a strong fight back by the Swans in the final term, the outstanding efforts by the returning Mason Wood (four goals, 17 disposals) and Shaun Higgins (31 disposals, five clearances) contributed to the Roos' epic win.
Wood, in his first game for the season, slotted the sealer in the dying moments of the game, thrusting North in front to continue their surprising form, which now sits at 4-3.
Although the Swans had multiple opportunities to clinch the lead back in the final minutes of play, they were left to rue their misses in front of goal, ultimately forfeiting the four points.
North Melbourne were looking for redemption after last week’s loss against Port Adelaide, coming out strong on Saturday night, with Wood fittingly book-ending the match after beginning proceedings in the first term.
Despite Sydney quickly responding with a quick goal of their own, the Roos were relentless in their attack on the ball.
The domination of the Roos stoppages and contested possessions in their defensive half allowed them to capitalise on the scoreboard, finishing with three goals for the quarter.
Thanks to Shaun Higgins' outstanding efforts in the midfield with 12 disposals, two clearances and a goal, North Melbourne finished the term eight points in front of the mighty Swans.
Both teams came out flying in the second quarter, but it was the control of the ball in North Melbourne’s forward 50 which resulted in Ben Brown scoring his first, and surprisingly only goal of the game.
But vital mistakes and turnovers made by North Melbourne allowed the Swans to reignite themselves throughout the second term.
The Swans seemed to find a rhythm within the midfield, transitioning the ball effectively through the centre into their forward 50, which resulted in an influx of goals within the space of minutes through Will Hayward and Robbie Fox.
Heath Grundy and Callum Sinclair (15 disposals each at half-time) were impressive forces for Sydney, keeping them within a point of North Melbourne late in the second.
However the Roos were determined to maintain their lead, with Jy Simpkin booting a last-minute goal, to give them a handy seven-point lead heading into half-time.
Continuing to extend their lead, North Melbourne opened the second half with a goal to Wood.
Proving to be a key target up forward alongside Brown, the Swans couldn't say the same, with their goals coming from unconventional contributors.
Although missing their superstar forward in Lance Franklin, young gun Will Hayward stood up to the mark, kicking his second of the night to keep Sydney within the game.
Yet the kicking efficiency from both sides in converting the ball was appalling to say the least, with the Roos only converting 2.5 for the term against the Swans' 2.4.
The efforts of Luke Parker rewarded the Swans with major late in the term brought Sydney back within the game, but a much-needed response from Ben Cunnington put the Roos back in front, going into he final term with an eight-point advantage.
The Swans entered the final term determined, roaring the home crowd back to life with Zak Jones and Hayward scoring crucial goals to put Sydney in front for the first time in the match.
But North Melbourne refused to give up, with Wood responding with a goal to bring scores back to level with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Although presented with ample opportunities to negate the Roos, Sydney's inaccuracy in front of goal proved to be nothing short of damaging.
Wood conversely leapt upon the Roos' chances, snapping a phenomenal goal in the final moments of the match the seal the deal and take out the win by two points, in part thanks to Sydney's subsequent two misses.
North Melbourne will look to take out another win against the reigning premiers, Richmond, at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, while Sydney will look to bounce back when they take on Hawthorn in what promises to be a Friday night blockbuster.
SYDNEY 2.1 4.4 6.8 9.12 (66)
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.3 5.5 7.10 9.14 (68)
GOALS
Sydney: Hayward 3, Towers, Lloyd, Jones, Parker, Fox, Sinclair
North Melbourne: Wood 4, Brown, Simpkin, Higgins, Hartung, Cunnington
BEST
Sydney: Hayward, Parker, Sinclair, Kennedy, Grundy
North Melbourne: Higgins, Wood, Jacobs, Cunnington, Anderson
INJURIES
Sydney: Nil
North Melbourne: Vickers-Willis (knee)
TALKING POINTS
1. NOT SOME BAD RETURNS
North Melbourne’s Mason Wood and Shaun Higgins were a force to be reckoned with against the mighty Swans.
It was Wood's first game for the season after struggling to break into the best 22, while the Saturday clash was Higgins' first outing after his horrific head knock against Hawthorn in round five.
With an outstanding 32 disposals each, along with four goals to Wood and one to Higgins, the dynamic duo they caused damage against the home side quickly.
In the end, it was Wood who delivered the final blow to the Swans after kicking an important major to put his side in front in the final minutes of the fourth term.
Higgins was allowed to roam the SCG without a tagger, and subsequently punished the Swans through his precise ball use, which sat at over 80 per cent efficiency.
The pair will hope to continue their dominance around the field against reigning premiers, Richmond, tigers at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
2. NOT BROWN'S NIGHT
Coleman Medal leader, Ben Brown, had a surprisingly quiet night for North given his form of late.
Brown was on the scoreboard early after hitting the post in the first quarter, but eventually kicked true in the second term to bring his tally to 24 to the season.
The towering target tried to be fancy outside the boundary line later in the quarter, the subsequent shank off the side of the boot sailed out of bounds.
Sometimes, it just isn't your night.
3. HAYWARD CONTINUES TO SHINE
Despite only being in his second season, Sydney youngster Will Hayward, continues to make a name for himself up forward.
The 19-year-old provided the highlights for Sydney fans, in a forward line-missing superstar Lance Franklin and Sam Reid, slotting three goals for the match.
With his side behind early in the final term, Hayward went back inside forward 50 to take an outstanding mark, before going back calmly to almost take the win for his side.
Hayward is certainly someone to keep an eye out for in the future.
4. SCORE REVIEW CONTROVERSY
As far as controversial score reviews go, the one between Jarrad McVeigh and Billy Hartung is sure to be up there, especially given the final margin of just two points.
When Kangaroo Billy Hartung’s quick snap in the first term sailed through the big sticks, McVeigh immediately claimed he had a touch on the ball.
His protests were waved away by umpires and the ball was immediately taken back to the centrefor the bounce.
But in the subsequent replays, the Sydney defender appeared to get his fingers to the ball shortly after it left Hartung’s boot.
It raises questions as to how the goal - which is examined by officials after the umpires' call - did not bear enough conclusive evidence to overturn the decision.
The allowed goal was costly for Sydney and was potentially crucial in the final outcome of the match, with the Roos taking out the win by two points.
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