Match report: Roos win the arm wrestle to stay perfect

Nathan Schmook April 29, 2016 11:52 PM

NORTH Melbourne has held off the Western Bulldogs and maintained top billing with an engrossing 16-point win in Friday night's top-of-the-table clash at Etihad Stadium.

In a combative and defensive slog that will leave both teams bruised, the Kangaroos went 6-0 for the first time since 1979, winning 9.7 (61) to 6.9 (45) in front of a record crowd of 47,622.

Five talking points: North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs

North led from the 15-minute mark of the first quarter to the final siren and fended off multiple runs from the brave Bulldogs, who didn't have the finishing class to bridge the narrow gap that existed for most of the night.

It was another feather in the cap for the Kangaroos, who are mounting their case for a 2016 premiership and have a genuine scalp to their name ahead of clashes against St Kilda, Essendon and Carlton. Perhaps most pleasing for coach Brad Scott was the defensive manner in which his usually attacking team won, kicking its lowest score for the season but holding the Bulldogs to just six goals.

How the fans saw it

"It was pretty keenly fought and it was a good sign we can get the job done multiple ways, regardless of what the opposition throw at us," Scott said. "When it is hot in the contest you don't necessarily get really attractive spectacles and high-scoring games."

"But from a coaching perspective they're great wins, because when you can match it in the contest with a side that really values that, then you know you're going to be a chance in most games."

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Quelle: North Melbourne Vs Western Bulldogs - Match Centre - AFL.com.au