Kangas bounce back for big win
NORTH Melbourne rebounded from its loss to ladder-leading Adelaide last week with a 27-point demolition of GWS at Arden Street Oval on Sunday.
The Giants were blown off the park in the first half, as they were held scoreless by the ruthless Tasmania Kangaroos, who careered to a dominant 7.12 (54) to 4.3 (27) win, to reenter the top eight.
The scoreboard flattered the visitors as North kicked the first seven goals and finished with 12 more scoring shots.
The margin ballooned to 51 points late in the third term, but the Giants’ kicked the last four goals to add some respectability to their performance.
It looked like a match between two sides in different divisions for much of the afternoon as the Kangaroos blitzed GWS in disposals (230-180), contested possessions (93-78), tackles (54-39) and inside-50s (38-20).
Industrious North forward Daria Bannister set up the win for North in the first half. The livewire was involved in almost everything in attack, kicking two of the Kangaroos’ five first-half goals, and accumulating nine of her 12 disposals.
Usual suspects Ash Riddell (23 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six clearances and five tackles), Emma Kearney (16 touches and a goal) and Jas Garner (16 touches and a goal) also starred for the Kangaroos, while Chloe Dalton was the standout for GWS with 13 possessions and a goal.
The Giants struggled to exit their defensive 50, and when they did manage to get it forward, their attacking set-up was in disarray.
The hosts’ inside-50 advantage at half-time was a colossal 21-6, ensuring the Giants’ past three first-half quarters have been scoreless.
The GWS scoring drought finally ended six minutes into the third quarter, but it did little to stop the onslaught.
GWS achieved a moral victory by keeping North scoreless in the final term.