After a tight game for three quarters, Collingwood firmly established their dominance, late. Missing many senior players, the Pies were shocked to find themselves behind North at the major break, albeit by just nine points. For the Pies, it was the usual suspects who led them out of the hole, specifically Nick Daicos, Jack Crisp, and Jamie Elliot.
Ahead of the game, Collingwood made two late changes, losing Scott Pendelbury and Bobby Hill, who were replaced by Wil Parker and Oleg Marko, respectively. The Pies then lost Brayden Maynard in the first quarter after the defender appeared to suffer a foot injury. Even heading into the game, the Pies were already missing Darcy Moore, Jordan de Goey, Lachie Schultz, and Steele Sidebottom.
Despite all those changes, and even though North appeared to be a rejuvenated side since their loss to Carlton, the Pies still started the game as the obvious favourites. In the last months, North lost to Port and Essendon by less than two goals, tied with the Lions, before edging out Richmond to get their second win of the season.
It was certainly a revitalised and energised North that came out in the first half, but they were certainly helped by a wayward Collingwood side. North jumped out to a nine-point lead at halftime, largely aided by a Collingwood side that missed more than two thirds of their shots at goal. Collingwood’s accuracy issues continued into the second half, kicking 3.8 in the third quarter to North’s 2.2.
But the signs were there, and they didn’t loom good for the Roos.
The Pies eventually kicked away in the final quarter, where they finally sorted out their accuracy issues, kicking 8.1 and extending their three-point, three-quarter-time lead out to a final margin of 45 points.
For North Melbourne, the game was a troubling slide back into the form that they demonstrated a month ago, which saw them suffer four consecutive losses by an average losing margin of roughly ten goals.
Elliott shines among the inaccurate Pies.
As mentioned earlier, the Pies almost kicked themselves out of the game in the first three quarters before turning their issues around in the last. One Pies player who wasn’t affected by issues of inaccuracy was Jamie Elliott.
Elliott kicked five goals straight in the game, including three goals in the Pies ‘ second-half run. Elliott was one of the Pies’ three multiple goal scorers alongside Tim Membrey, who kicked 3.2, and Brody Mihocek, who kicked 2.3 for the game.
Zurhaar shines up forward for the Roos
After Nick Larkey started the season off with a bang, kicking 12 goals in the first three games of the season, the young forward has been eclipsed by Cam Zurhaar. The veteran forward has now kicked seven goals in the last two games, including one great goal from a contested mark in the third quarter.
Unfortunately for the Roos, Zurhaar was North’s only multiple goal scorer for the game as Larkey and small forward Paul Curtis were held to one goal each while high-profile key forward Jack Darling failed to find the scoreboard at all, though he did spend some time in the ruck, giving Tristan Xerri a rest.
Mason Cox held Goalless again
American import Mason Cox has had an indifferent start to the season. Cox missed Collingwood’s two opening games before returning for their Round Two game against the Western Bulldogs. Cox was then dropped from the side before returning a few games later in Round Eight against Geelong.
Cox has played each of the games since Round Eight, but has now gone two weeks in a row without hitting the scoresheet. What’s more is that Cox has also failed to make much of an impact on the game at all, only getting three possessions for the entire game against North Melbourne.
Daicos Dazzles Again
Earlier this season, when Darcy Moore missed Collingwood’s game against Essendon on Anzac Day, Nick Daicos was named as the replacement captain for the side. Moore has now missed the last two games after suffering a shoulder injury, with Daicos stepping up as a more than worthy captain in his absence.
Daicos starred again, racking up 38 possessions, including two goal assists and five clearances. Nick’s brother, Josh, was also prolific with 31 possessions of his own, including three clearances.
Not a member of the Daicos family, but Ned Long continued to play well through the middle for the Pies. Long racked up 29 possessions, going at 79% efficiency. Long also had two goal assists and six clearances. In a team full of good stories, his emergence in 2025 might be the best of them.
New Roo Proving his worth
Caleb Daniel has been an important figure for North since crossing over to the club from the Western Bulldogs at the end of the last season. Daniel has helped shore up a North Melbourne defence that was leaky and full of issues. And although he has had some issues in games, Daniel’s work against Collingwood was no exception, racking up 30 possessions and going at 76% efficiency.
Another one of the new Roos, Luke Parker, had another quiet game with only 16 possessions for the entire game. While the other new Roo, Jack Darling, also struggled in the game. Darling managed only nine possessions for the game, winning three hit-outs, and failing to hit the scoreboard for the third time this season.
The Month Ahead
North now heads into the bye next week with two and a half wins. While this is not ideal, it’s still two and a half wins more than they had at the same point last season. In 2024, the Roos were winless heading into their bye. After the bye, North will face West Coast and Fremantle at home before facing Carlton to round out next month. Despite the progress, North Melbourne still sits second last on the table, ahead of only West Coast.
Collingwood will face Hawthorn next Friday night and Melbourne in their traditional King’s Birthday clash before heading into their bye in Round 14. Coming out of the bye, Collingwood will host St. Kilda at Marvel Stadium. Aside from the Hawthorn game, Collingwood will feel confident they’ll have wjat it takes win the two other games, keeping them well and truly in the hunt for top spot on the ladder heading into the second half of the season.
