1. Bad for Chad: A mark, a goal and a hamstring
Chad Wingard continued his relatively quiet form until the final term, when he bobbed up to take a mark in front of goal. He winced and touched his left hamstring after landing, and despite the margin being at comfortable 32 points, decided to go back and take the shot anyway. He kicked a goal and bypassed his celebrating teammates, walking dejectedly to the bench. It's a familiar feeling for the 24-year-old, who battled hamstring soreness earlier this season, and finished his season early last year with a hamstring strain.
2. Port Adelaide bounce back after horror week
It's safe to say it's been an eventful week at Port Adelaide. After a disappointing 34-point loss at home to an undermanned and inexperienced Geelong, the club was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons as the Sam-Powell Pepper suspension was handed down. Players also wore black armbands for Todd Marshall's father, who passed away earlier this week. The Power were hungry around the contest and despite having key forward Charlie Dixon in the ruck, still had too many paths to goal for the Kangaroos to handle. Sam Gray was the main beneficiary with four, with another 10 individual goalkickers.
3. Operation: Taking down Ben Brown
Big Ben Brown has had an excellent start to the season, leading the Coleman Medal with 19 goals from his five matches. The 25-year-old's strong form has been instrumental in North Melbourne's bright start to the season. Although Brown broke away late, finishing with four goals, Tom Jonas did an excellent job while the match was still in the balance. He kept as much body contact on Brown as he could within the rules (although some North fans may argue he was, at the very least, stretching them). He was well supported by both Jack Hombsch and Dougal Howard, who would often double or triple-team Brown, blocking his clear run at the ball.
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4. Pagan's paddock or Scott's stretch?
North Melbourne persisted with a somewhat unorthodox structure at centre bounces, with just three forwards – usually Jack Ziebell, Ben Brown and Jarrad Waite – inside 50. They would push their half-forwards onto each wing, with the centre half-forward standing in the traditional position. The Kangaroos were determined to give their keys as much leading space as possible, and also prevent the Power from double-teaming Brown and Waite. It worked at times, but often the Power half-backs would simply let their opponents move onto the wing and drop back anyway.
5. The battle of the big men
Port Adelaide's ruck dilemma has been a talking point since its one senior ruckman Paddy Ryder hurt his Achilles in round one. Coach Ken Hinkley has said he expects Ryder to return next week, but usual key forward Charlie Dixon did a solid job up against veteran Todd Goldstein. More agile around the ground than the veteran, he also held his own in the ruck, recording 25 hit-outs to Goldstein's 38. North Melbourne's extra hit-outs didn't directly transfer to clearances either, with Port winning that stat 38-32.
Roo Todd Goldstein takes on Charlie Dixon. Picture: AFL Photos
