The win over the Bulldogs all but secured the Kangaroos' spot in September with Brad Scott's men in sixth place, one game ahead of Essendon, and two games ahead of Adelaide, Richmond, Collingwood and Gold Coast, who are all vying for eighth spot on the ladder. Having beaten premiership contenders Hawthorn, the Sydney Swans and Fremantle this season, North Melbourne could be a genuine threat when it comes to finals. The Kangaroos' win on Sunday was their fourth consecutive victory over the Bulldogs, a feat they haven't achieved since 2007-2008. 

Smooth as silk, tough as nails. In Griffen we trust, our captain we hail. That's what the Bulldogs banner read before the game, and in his 200th game, the No.3 pick in the 2004 draft didn't disappoint. Hoping for a win in his milestone game, Bulldogs skipper Ryan Griffen typically led from the front. While it wasn't the outcome the team would have wanted to celebrate with its captain, the midfielder should hold his head high. He was sublime throughout, showing his speed and power, breaking the lines several times throughout the game and finishing with 30 disposals, six clearances and eight inside 50s to be the Bulldogs' best player. 

North Melbourne veteran Brent Harvey had a blistering first term with 11 touches, as the Roos opened up a 26-point lead at the first change. Keen to quell his influence, Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney was quick to send Liam Picken to shut down the Kangaroos star in the second term, and he did just that. Harvey didn't touch the Sherrin for the entire quarter, with Picken on his tail at every turn. But Boomer responded well in the second half, finishing the game with 23 touches and a goal, taking the chocolates against one of the better taggers in the game.  

There has been plenty of talk in the past week about Marcus Bontempelli's chances of winning this year's NAB Rising Star award and with good reason. Since earning a nomination in round 13 against the Pies, Bontempelli has shown plenty of brilliance. In round 15 against Melbourne he kicked two incredible goals to seal victory for the Bulldogs with his athletic ability and football nous giving fans something to smile about. On Sunday against the Kangaroos, the freshly re-signed Bulldog showed just why he would be a worthy winner with a 23 disposal, two-goal performance.  

Brad Scott would have been pleased with the spread of goalkickers in his side on Sunday. Midfielder Ben Cunnington snared a personal best four goals in the win, with all four coming in the final term. In total the Roos had 11 different goal scorers, but what was even more promising was the continued development of emerging key forwards Aaron Black and Ben Brown. The pair had four goals and 13 marks between them, with veteran Drew Petrie chiming in with two goals as well. The Roos' tall attack is starting to click and looks set to inflict some damage in September.