Roos flattened by Hawks, flattered by 48-point margin

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North Melbourne’s desperate hunt for a win continues after a 48-point defeat to the team – Hawthorn – just one rung on the ladder above them.

The Kangaroos started the season with such optimism under new coach Alastair Clarkson, beating both West Australian teams to be 2-0, but have since lost 15 games in a row to trail the Hawks by three games, and Sunday’s margin, although sizeable, was flattering for the Roos.

North Melbourne crashed to their 15th straight defeat on Sunday, with Curtis Taylor (top) and Jackson Archer (below) among those feeling the pain as Dylan Moore and his Hawthorn teammates registered a compelling win.Credit: AFL Photos

They could yet suffer the ignominy of a third-straight wooden spoon if their percentage takes a major hit in the run home, and they lose to last-placed West Coast in a fortnight’s time.

With just 11 wins from their past 78 matches, it now seems certain North will ask the AFL for assistance again, potentially requesting access to Larke medallist Ryley Sanders.

Making matters worse, the Roos subbed out prized young gun George Wardlaw with hamstring tightness in the first half, not willing to risk further injury, given his significant history with the ailment.

Cam Zurhaar also sustained a game-ending ankle setback and Jackson Archer also had a tight left hamstring.

Liam Shiels narrowly avoided the same fate when his left ankle was twisted under his body weight in a tackle during the third term of a forgettable afternoon at Marvel Stadium.

Interim coach Brett Ratten has insisted in recent weeks that North has made strides this season, but their lack of competitiveness against Hawthorn was worrisome.

Sunday’s margin would have been worse if not for the Hawks registering 10 consecutive behinds between the first and third quarters, before Mitch Lewis kick-started a run of five goals to bury the Roos by three-quarter time.

The match could have been over by the end of the opening term, such was Hawthorn’s territory dominance, but they went to the first break with only three goals from 11 scoring shots.

Tough on-baller James Worpel was at the heart of almost everything the Hawks did, gathering 32 disposals and seven clearances, while Jai Newcombe, Conor Nash and Josh Ward were willing allies in the clinches, and Karl Amon was excellent on the outside.

Sam Frost kept North Melbourne spearhead Nick Larkey to one goal and Jack Scrimshaw gobbled up nine intercept possessions, while Lewis and the evergreen Luke Breust booted three goals apiece.

First-year star Harry Sheezel, Bailey Scott and Luke Davies-Uniacke never stopped trying for the Kangaroos, and Eddie Ford performed an admirable defensive job on James Sicily, but they had far too little support.

Hawthorn’s Jai Newcombe lays off a handball under pressure from airborne Kangaroo Liam Shiels.Credit: AFL Photos

Landslide of inside 50s … and behinds

North Melbourne had little right to be in the contest at half-time, but somehow trailed Hawthorn by only six points.

The Sherrin lived in the Hawks’ forward half in the opening term, in particular, owing equally to their general dominance as their waywardness in front of goal.

The inside 50-metre count was 25-4 to Hawthorn at quarter-time – you read that right – but they turned that into only three goals eight behinds after Darcy Tucker kicked the game’s opening goal for the Roos.

The Hawks followed up with a goalless second term; a late misfire from Finn Maginness their fifth behind for the quarter, leaving them 3.13 at the main break, compared to comparatively sharpshooting North Melbourne on 4.1.

It was little wonder Hawthorn fans cheered with such gusto when Mitch Lewis finally kicked goal from close range after the team’s 10 consecutive behinds.

NORTH MELBOURNE 1.1 4.1 5.2 6.4 (40)
HAWTHORN 3.8 3.13 8.14 12.16 (88)
GOALS: North: Curtis 2, Tucker, Ford, Davies-Uniacke, Larkey. Hawthorn: Breust 3, Lewis 3, Worpel, Brockman, Amon, Impey, Grainger-Barrass, Macdonald.
BEST: North: Sheezel, Scott, Davies-Uniacke, Corr, Ford, Xerri. Hawthorn: Worpel, Amon, Newcombe, Nash, Impey, Moore, Frost, Scrimshaw.
INJURIES: North: Wardlaw (hamstring tightness), Zurhaar (ankle), Archer (hamstring tightness). Hawthorn: Greene (ankle).
UMPIRES: Power, Broadbent, Rebeschini, Birch.

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