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Kangaroos too strong for Demons

By Guy Hand 01/05/2010 06:44:57 PM Comments (0)

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott is confident his AFL nursery is breeding the right type of kids after a second successive win forged under pressure - this time a 26-point victory over Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Scott was thrilled with how North's department of youth stood up under third-quarter siege from the Demons, as their 46-point third quarter lead was slashed to 14 by the end of the term.

But the Kangaroos' ability to steady in the fourth quarter, stop Melbourne's momentum, and run out 15.14 (104) to 12.6 (78) winners left Scott thrilled with how his side is developing, especially against a more-hyped set of young players chasing four successive wins.

Instead, North made it two straight after holding firm against Hawthorn's charge the previous week.

Both the Kangaroos and Melbourne now have 3-3 win-loss records.

"People expect their young players are better than ours, but I thought our young guys stood up," Scott said.

"To have 10 players who have played less than 25 games out there today - which is significantly more than what Melbourne had - it was a pretty pleasing effort.

"Our players have stood up under pressure for the second week in a row now - it's pleasing to get quality games into guys and get them playing in pressurised environments."

North built their victory on superb first half tackling, especially inside their forward 50-metre arc, to rattle the Demons.

North powered to a 34-point lead at halftime as David Hale and Sam Wright booted two goals apiece, Scott Thompson was outstanding in defence, and youngster Andrew Swallow dominated in midfield and tackled himself to a standstill.

The lead was out to 46 points by the five-minute mark of the third, but Melbourne lifted off the canvas to boot the final six goals of the term.

Jangled North nerves were settled by early goals to North's Liam Anthony and Hale, who along with Wright finished with three majors apiece.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey paid tribute to the Kangaroos' relentless tackling and ability to counter-attack on the Demons' errors.

"Credit to them in the first half. They got off to a good start and we couldn't peg them back," Bailey said.

"I'd argue that some our kicking and our decision-making wasn't up to the level we'd had the last four weeks, and that always plays to an opposition."

Brad Green led Melbourne's goalkickers with four.

The AFL match review panel is likely to take a keen interest in a melee which erupted at the three-quarter time break - North defender Michael Firrito and Melbourne forward Colin Sylvia central in the fracas.

The Demons' day was made worse with what appeared a bad shoulder injury to forward Ricky Petterd.

North also had an injury concern, with defender Lachlan Hansen breaking his nose when he collided with Demons tall Stefan Martin in the third term.

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