1. Kangas survive to keep top four hopes alive
North Melbourne had some nervous moments, but a fifth-straight win has vaulted the Kangaroos into sixth spot on the ladder – just ahead of Richmond – and only four points from a top four spot. The Roos have responded to their round 14 shocker against Gold Coast like an experienced outfit should, although the run home against St Kilda, Fremantle, the Western Bulldogs and Richmond will sort out if they're contenders or pretenders. While Melbourne fell to a 14th consecutive loss to North, there was a lot to like for Dees fans with the club's future – Jack Viney, Jesse Hogan and Angus Brayshaw – leading the fightback after a slow start.
2. Hogan's Rising Star response
The NAB AFL Rising Star battle is seen as a race in two and after Patrick Cripps' career-best 35-disposal effort, all eyes were on Jesse Hogan. His response was emphatic. Hogan shone like a beacon against North Melbourne, pushing up the ground, chasing like his life depended on it and dominating the air inside 50. He took nine marks and kicked four majors – including one from a strong contested grab in front of All Australian defender Scott Thompson - and now has 36 goals this year. He's yet to be held goalless and has hauled down 41 contested marks – the second most in the AFL. Rising Star judges have their work cut out separating him from Cripps, but will the game-changing power of a star key forward sway it Hogan's way?
3. Goldstein shades Gawn in battle of the in-form big men
Max Gawn has taken huge strides this year, but it was always going to be a comprehensive test of his all-round game coming up against All Australian ruck certainty Todd Goldstein. The result? Goldstein took the points, but not without a fight. The 201cm Roo controlled the hit-outs (50-28) and was like another midfielder roaming around the ground with 20 touches to Gawn's 12. His influence in the critical first and third terms can't be understated. Gawn's impressive contested marking was again a feature – he's now taken 25 this year, averaging the second most in the AFL – and he will learn plenty from Sunday's match.
4. Big-name recruits get North over the line
They were lured to fill missing parts to North Melbourne's premiership puzzle and Jarrad Waite and Shaun Higgins paid part of their way with crucial contributions in a vital win. Waite booted three super majors, while his strong contested marking late in the third term helped stem the rushing tide of Melbourne's momentum. Higgins did it all, collecting 31 touches and slotting two last-quarter goals, a composed shot on the run from 45m and a sublime left-foot snap from the boundary to seal the game.
5. Roos' blitzkrieg stuns Demons
You can generally tell whether North are 'on' in the first few minutes, and the Kangaroos were red-hot from the first bounce. They stunned Melbourne, seizing control with their best first quarter of the season (7.4) built on fierce tackling and quick ball movement as Melbourne's backline crumbled under sustained pressure. The Dees' plight wasn't helped when Jack Watts lazily kicked-in straight into Robin Nahas manning the mark at the top of the goalsquare, handing the Kangas their second major. It summed up the difference in the teams' intent before the Dees lifted.
