NORTH Melbourne has firmed as a finals contender with a comfortable 38-point win over West Coast at Patersons Stadium on Sunday night.
The Kangaroos convincingly outplayed the Eagles, claiming a 12.10 (82) to 6.8 (44) triumph in front of 35,914 fans who braved the wet and cold conditions.
It was the first time the Kangaroos have achieved the feat of beating the Dockers and Eagles in Perth in a single season, following their 13-point round six win over Fremantle.
However, the victory could prove costly, with forward Lindsay Thomas injuring his hamstring and Brent Harvey likely to be scrutinised for his off-the-ball hit on Scott Selwood.
Harvey forcefully struck Selwood on the chin with an open palm as the pair were jogging alongside each other early in the second quarter.
Selwood wasn't seriously injured by the hit, but the high and forceful nature of it may be enough to land Harvey in strife.
"He's probably asking [Scott Selwood] to pass it on to [brother] Adam from the last time he terrorised him around Subiaco," North Melbourne coach Brad Scott joked.
"I think there's niggle with taggers. But we want Boomer to be disciplined and I think he does a remarkable job given the treatment he cops."
Harvey was held to just two possessions in the opening quarter, but tallied 10 alone in the second term before finishing the match with 27 disposals and a goal.
"I think it was one of our most complete performances, certainly with contributions across the board and Boomer was part of that," Scott said.
Levi Greenwood, Nick Dal Santo, Ryan Bastinac and Ben Cunnington were also crucial in the win, with the Kangaroos now well placed at 6-4 heading into Sunday's match against the struggling Tigers.
Conversely, the Eagles' finals hopes are dangling by a thread at 4-6 with games against Hawthorn, Gold Coast, St Kilda, Fremantle and the Sydney Swans to come over the next five rounds. The loss of Xavier Ellis to a thigh injury further compounds their worries.
On Sunday, West Coast had few winners and kicked just three goals after quarter-time, only avoiding its lowest ever score at the ground with an after-the-siren goal to Matt Priddis.
Priddis was his usual prolific self, with Nic Naitanui and defender Eric Mackenzie battling valiantly.
"It was pretty basic in the end," Adam Simpson said.
"We just lost the hunt. We didn't use the ball well and we didn't handle the conditions."
North Melbourne had won just three opening quarters in the first 10 rounds but started brightly, kicking the opening two goals inside the first five minutes.
The Kangaroos kicked four straight for the quarter, all from set shots following hard-running build-ups. Aaron Black kicked two for the term.
Eagle Mark LeCras proved his undeniable worth in his first match back from suspension. He took four marks inside 50 in the first quarter, and laid a strong tackle on Sam Gibson to win a holding the ball decision. He kicked two goals for the quarter.
Naitanui was lively early, curling through a splendid snap from deep in the pocket to keep the Eagles within three points at quarter-time.
That was as close as West Coast came for the rest of the night. It managed just one point in the second term and just eight scoring shots after quarter-time.
North Melbourne's midfield was sensational but much of the Kangaroos’ attack was set-up from defence with Dal Santo often the architect. Drew Petrie provided two highlights with a stunning checkside and a quick snap to finish with two goals in the second half.
North Melbourne now moves to eighth on the ladder while West Coast slumps to 11th ahead of a nightmare trip to Tasmania to face Hawthorn.
Eagle Brad Sheppard desperately tries to stop Robin Nahas on Sunday night. Picture: AFL Media
WEST COAST 3.3 3.4 4.6 6.8 (44)
NORTH MELBOURNE 4.0 6.6 10.9 12.10 (82)
GOALS
West Coast: LeCras 2, Priddis 2, Naitanui, Cripps
North Melbourne: Adams 2, Black 2, Petrie 2, Cunnington, Harvey, Swallow, Atley, Thomas, Anthony
BEST
West Coast: Priddis, Mackenzie, Hurn, Naitanui, Gaff, LeCras, Darling
North Melbourne: Dal Santo, Greenwood, Cunnington, Adams, Bastinac, Harvey
INJURIES
West Coast: Ellis (thigh)
North Melbourne: Thomas (hamstring)
SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Josh Hill replaced Xavier Ellis during the third quarter
Geelong: Liam Anthony replaced Lindsay Thomas at three-quarter time
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Farmer, Hosking, Findlay
Official crowd: 35,914 at the Patersons Stadium
