Three scores in 70 seconds

THREE scores in 70 seconds flipped Saturday’s game on its head, and saw North Melbourne steal a five-point win at Blundstone Arena.

With just over one minute remaining in the game, Melbourne led by the narrowest of margins, before Shaun Higgins snapped one through to give his side the lead.

Breaking away from the next centre bounce, Jared Polec registered a minor score to make the margin one straight kick, leaving the Demons one chance to tie the game.

The opportunity arose for Alex Neal-Bullen, but his long-range shot drifted into the post as the Dees fell to a seventh straight loss, rounding out a difficult 2019 season.

The numbers

DISPOSALS: Oliver 33, Harmes 32, Gawn 26, Petracca 25, Lewis 24, Brayshaw, Stretch, Viney 21

GOALS: Fritsch, Gawn 3, Melksham 2, Hunt, Jones, Neal-Bullen, C.Wagner

Lewis’ farewell

It wasn’t in the style or fashion he deserved, but Jordan Lewis bowed out of the AFL after 319 senior games.

The 33-year-old had a special day, receiving his jumper from Jarryd Roughead in the room’s pre-game, before running out with his three sons by his side.

After the final siren, Lewis was chaired from the field by Nathan Jones and Max Gawn, putting a full stop on a decorated career. 

Fritta takes flight

Bayley Fritsch provided the standout highlight of the match, and possibly the season, as he sat on Scott Thompson’s head to reel in a stunning mark in the opening minutes of the game.

The 22-year-old went back and slotted the goal – the first of three for him – as he played a major role inside 50 once again.

The breeze factor

Hobart is known for its blustery conditions, and the wind was strong as usual on the weekend.

But it didn’t seem to have too significant an impact on the game, as the Dees booted 10 of their 12 goals against the breeze.

Gawn’s masterclass

Max Gawn and Todd Goldstein have had some enthralling battles in recent years, but it was a one-sided affair in Round 23.

The Demon ruckman has played some sensational games in 2019, but arguably none better than this.

With 41 hit-outs, 26 disposals, eight marks and three goals, Gawn quite literally did it all, helping his side get on top in the clearances and gain an advantage around the ground.

The matchups

The Demons attempted to nullify North Melbourne’s two most dangerous players – Ben Brown and Ben Cunnington – and did so with some success on Saturday afternoon.

Jack Viney went head-to-head with the hard-at-it onballer and restricted him to a season-low 14 disposals – 13 touches below his average for the year.

Inside 50, Sam Frost was given the steep task of keeping Brown away from the action, and the defender competed manfully conceding just the two goals.

Another Hobart nail-biter

Three games, three losses, three thrillers.

Melbourne has ventured to Blundstone Arena for premiership points three times in the past four years but has fallen short by under a kick on every occasion.

The Dees’ losses combine to just 14 points, as North Melbourne has the edge at its home away from home.

A message from the skippers

Nathan Jones: “I’m just frustrated, disappointed – all the adjectives to explain how we’re all feeling at this time. It is what it is now, and we will get to work as soon as we can.”

Jack Viney: “In these dark times we really need to stick together. I’ve just felt an overwhelming sense of support from the supporters this year. No doubt they’re just as disappointed as we are in how we’ve performed, but I’ve felt an underlying feeling of support.”