BEN BROWN has powered North Melbourne to its first victory of the season, booting six goals to lead his side to a well-earned 52-point victory over a disappointing St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Good Friday.
After an ugly first half, which yielded just four goals and 20 behinds combined between the two sides, Brown – who had just two kicks to half-time – sprung to life to be the difference in what had been a dour contest.
While the Tasmanian was the catalyst for the impressive win on a day that North Melbourne is trying to make its own, Brad Scott's unit booted the last seven goals of the match to claim the 13.17 (95) to 5.13 (43) victory.
WATCH: Brown hits the Saints for six
North Melbourne, a team known to be in a rebuilding phase, booted 11 goals to St Kilda's three after the major break, outworking its much-fancied opponent on the spread and around the contest.
North played with dare and took the game on in the second half, while St Kilda, a team many previously considered a contender for finals, faltered and fluffed around with the footy.
Shaun Higgins (24 disposals and nine inside 50s) led from the front in this area and his ability to set up the play forward of centre underlined his class.
Billy Hartung provided much-needed overlap run and finished the game with an equal team-high 24 possessions, while Jamie Macmillan (15 touches) was steadfast in defence and was as influential as any player in the Kangaroos' win.
After being minus-20 in contested possessions against Gold Coast in a water-logged Cairns last Saturday night, the Roos thrived in that category on a dry track, smashing the Saints, who pride themselves in this area, in tight (150-119).
Brad Scott would have also been pleased with top draft pick Luke Davies-Uniacke's third term, with the youngster demonstrating his talent around in congestion.
Luke Davies-Uniacke celebrates his first win as a Roo with Ben Jacobs. Picture: AFL Photos
Scott said he was pleased that his side was able to serve it up to the Saints in the final term and run away with the contest.
"The most pleasing thing was our consistent effort. We clearly didn’t have the polish we would've liked, but the hardest thing in footy, in my view, is to do enough to generate shots," Scott said.
WATCH: Brad Scott's full post-match media conference
"Kicking goals is clearly a really important part of the game but it's a better problem to have than not being able to generate shots in the first place.
"The four-quarter effort was fantastic and to accelerate away at the end was really pleasing."
WATCH: Sharp roving delivers a Brown major
Jimmy Webster (30 touches and eight rebound 50s) was easily the Saints' best player in the way he was able to pierce kicks through the middle of the ground, but unfortunately for Alan Richardson's team that boldness was shared by few others.
Midfielder Jack Steven got off the chain in the first half after the Roos decided to send tagger Ben Jacobs to Seb Ross instead of the Saints' firestarter, but North made the change at half-time and Steven was well contained after that. He was still one of the Saints' best with 26 disposals, while David Armitage (27 touches) also tried hard for his side.
WATCH: Roos thrilled with Jacobs' returning goal
St Kilda's tall forward line failed to fire and booted just five goals for the match, with Richardson sure to look at how his side structures up ahead of the footy.
"Our performance tonight was incredibly disappointing – we got absolutely smashed in the contest and beaten badly on the outside," Richardson said.
WATCH: Alan Richardson's full post-match media conference
"What's really important is that we do something about it. We've got eight days to make sure we get ourselves right against Adelaide, but we spoke at length about what are going to do about this result? That's where we're at as a group and we look forward to doing the work required."
Paddy McCartin was also reported for rough conduct on North's Trent Dumont, although he may escape with a fine after the match is reviewed.
WATCH: Paddy whack goes in the book
MEDICAL ROOM
North Melbourne: Nathan Hrovat (ankle) and Trent Dumont (lower leg) were slightly limited in the opening half. However, the pair played out the game with few issues. Gun midfielder Ben Cunnington spent much of the third term on the bench and in the rooms being assessed by the club doctors due to a hip complaint. Cunnington returned in the last quarter but spent the majority of the time playing in the forward line where he kicked a goal.
St Kilda: Ruckman Billy Longer came off in the third term after copping a knock to the groin. The ruckman was ineffectual thereafter and the Roos managed to get on top in that area with Todd Goldstein leading the charge. Coach Alan Richardson said Longer was "sore" and would need to be monitored before being cleared to play next week.
WATCH: Acres kicks a cracker after Marley's error
NEXT UP
The Saints front up next Saturday night again at Etihad to play Adelaide who squared their season with an impressive win over Richmond. The Roos will have another difficult task against Melbourne at the MCG. However, North Melbourne has had the wood on the Demons having beaten them 17-straight times since 2007.
NORTH MELBOURNE 0.6 2.10 6.16 13.17 (95)
ST KILDA 1.2 2.10 5.11 5.13 (43)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Brown 6, Waite, Anderson, Turner, Hrovat, Hartung, Jacobs, Cunnington
St Kilda: Carlisle, Gresham, Steele, Steven, Acres
BEST
North Melbourne: Brown, Higgins, Jacobs, Macmillan, Waite, Hartung, Ziebell, Thompson
St Kilda: Webster, Steven, Armitage, Geary, Savage
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Cunnington (hip)
St Kilda: Longer (groin)
Reports: Paddy McCartin (St Kilda) was reported for rough conduct on Trent Dumont (North Melbourne).
Umpires: Hay, Williamson, McInerney
Official crowd: 33,966 at Etihad Stadium
