The North Melbourne Kangaroos have continued their perfect start to the season with a gutsy upset over the fancied Giants at the Sydney showground.
The Giants, viewed by many as premiership contenders, were completely outclassed by a Roos side looking to play finals for the first time since 2016.
The game was an even contest until late, with North Melbourne kicking four of the last five goals to run out 12.8 (80) to 8.12 (60) winners.
The midfield was battle was expected to be where the Giants would have an edge with the stars like Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio, Jacob Hopper and Callan Ward all running through, but it was the Kangaroos who won that battle.
Todd Goldstein was dominant against Sam Jacobs in the ruck while Shaun Higgins showed his class, picking up 28 disposals despite copping a tag from Matt de Boer.
In game 150, Robbie Tarrant won his battle against Giants spearhead Jeremy Cameron, with last year’s Coleman medalist managing just 7 disposals and 1 goal while Tarrant picked up 18 touches and five marks.
The other shining lights for the Roos were a couple of young guns; Jy Simpkin showed he could be the next big thing, picking up 25 disposals and showing off a wealth of skill while Cameron Zurhaar was outstanding up forward, booting three goals.
The Kangaroos had six players amass over 20 disposals while the only Giants player to do so was Ward, who had 21.
Ward was one of the Giants best in his return game from an ACL while skipper Coniglio worked hard all day with 10 tackles and 19 possessions, but they didn’t have too many other winners on the field.
Contested possession numbers were even between the sides with the Kangaroos edging the Giants out 120-118, but it was their spread and carry on the outside where they did their best work; smashing the Giants in the uncontested possession count 192-138 with likes of Higgins, Simpkin and Jared Polec having a field day in the open space.
The Giants travel to Marvel Stadium next week looking to record a win against the out-of-form Bulldogs who sit in last place on the ladder following two heavy defeats.
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