Quiet by his standards, the clever crumbing forward ended with just one behind and generally struggled to get front and centre of the contests.
Aaron Edwards - 4
A solid game but failed to make much impact. Ended with 12 disposals.
Michael Firrito – 6
Busy early in the game and was given the job on Kirk in the third quarter, when the Swans' man was creating havoc. Found it tough going at times but gave everything to the North cause.
Josh Gibson – 4
Matched up on Barry Hall and impressed early with his body work and spoiling. Looked to run off and create more options, but as the game wore on, Hall's influence grew and Gibson struggled.
Shannon Grant – 6
Superb across the half-forward line early in the game, using his experience on the younger Paul Bevan. But the retiring great was starved of the ball late in the game and, like most of North's key men, was unable to effect change.
David Hale – 6
A strong marking presence early on. Kicked well but, like many of his teammates, dropped off in the vital third quarter. His bomb on the siren at the end of the term kept North hopes alive, and he ended with two goals.
Leigh Harding – 5
Another solid performer. Finished with 13 disposals and six inside 50s.
Daniel Harris – 7
Laid 10 tackles and was one of the few North men to really attack the contest. Toiled hard in the midfield but couldn't do much about the third quarter onslaught by the Swans.
Brent Harvey – 7
Looked a match-winner early, playing on Jared Crouch, but dropped off significantly in the second half. Was credited with a goal that perhaps should never have been, soccering a loose ball that appeared to have already crossed the goal line.
Ed Lower – 8
Kept Tadhg Kennelly quiet and was a threat all night with his clever leading and accurate kicking. One of the few North players to have starred for virtually all the game.
Scott McMahon – 7
Gave a committed performance and was tough at the ball. Was given the job on O'Keefe in the final term and did okay.
Drew Petrie – 6
Tackled hard, rucked well and was a forward presence when need be, but outpointed by Jolly and Everitt.
Sam Power – 4
The former Bulldog struggled to get into the game but tackled consistently and ended with eight disposals.
Daniel Pratt – 6
Battled all night and was one of North's more consistent performers.
Brady Rawlings – 5
Tackled well but was unable to help stop the Swans onslaught later in the game.
Adam Simpson – 6
The skipper was his typically committed, picking up 14 disposals, but failed to stamp his authority on the Swans in the clearances when it counted in the third term.
Jess Sinclair – 3
Unable to launch many counter-attacks, Sinclair had little impact on the game.
Lindsay Thomas – 4
Like Campbell, the nippy crumbing forward was much less effective than he has been for most of this year, as the Swans defence cleverly muzzled his crumbing work.
Nathan Thompson – 6
His third quarter snap stemmed the Swans’ flow, after they had kicked the last three. Justified his inclusion in the side with a committed display, but missed a couple of gettable chances that would have given the Roos an early shot of confidence.
Gavin Urquhart – 3
The young defender's lack of experience showed at crucial times down back, particularly when the conditions were wetter earlier in the game.
Shannon Watt – 4
Another of North's men who battled gamely but was generally ineffectual against an impressive Swans' attack, particularly late in the game.
Daniel Wells – 6
Won a stack of possessions until Kieren Jack matched up on him in the third quarter. His influence on the North midfield was reduced from that point on.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
