Wounded Roos defy Hawthorn
AN undermanned North Melbourne have clung on for a 28point victory over Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium to climb to third on the AFL ladder.
Up by 57 points at halftime yesterday, the Kangaroos only managed three goals in the second half but did enough to hold off the resurgent Hawks and claim a 14.14 ( 98) to 11.4 ( 70) win in front of a 27,981strong crowd.
Forward Ben Brown ( four goals), midfielder Ben Cunnington ( 30 disposals) and backman Robbie Tarrant ( 16 marks) played starring roles as the rebuilding Roos made a dominant start to the game.
The complexion changed within seconds when North lost both Shaun Higgins and Ed Vickers- Willis to concussions during the third quarter.
A motionless Higgins was taken from the ground on a motorised stretcher and was set to undergo scans in hospital after a nasty head collision with Hawthorn’s Ryan Burton.
Vickers- Willis was able to run from the ground after colliding with Harry Morrison but failed a concussion test.
The Roos looked run off their feet during a third term in which Luke Breust slotted three of his five majors and Liam Shiels added two.
But Hawthorn were unable to press their advantage and late goals to Cameron Zurhaar and Jarrad Waite secured a hard- fought victory for North.
Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell’s Brownlow Medal hopes could be in jeopardy with a suspected high elbow on North ruckman Todd Goldstein certain to come under scrutiny.