1. Have the Kangaroos slammed the finals door shut?
Maybe not yet, but North Melbourne fans will be breathing easier with their side guaranteed to end the round at least two games clear in eighth spot ahead of Port Adelaide and St Kilda, who will start underdogs in their games this weekend. The Roos were much improved in the first half as they arrested a five-game losing streak, although the Pies at times resembled witches' hats before springing to life after half-time and surging back into the contest. The Maggies are now no chance of playing finals footy, despite what 'mathematics' might say, while the Roos have just about booked their third-straight trip to September.
2. Don't poke the Roos, Bucks
Nathan Buckley ratcheted up the anticipation for Friday night's clash by declaring fans could expect "a finals-type game with high pressure" – but his team dismally failed to deliver when the game was there to be won early. Despite Buckley claiming his players were ready to put reputations on the line, it was the Roos who made a statement, unleashing a first-quarter blitzkrieg on the shellshocked Magpies. North dominated centre clearances 6-0 in the opening stages, putting Collingwood's defence under siege, and ran rampant in attack with five of the first six goals to seemingly kill the contest. Collingwood's fightback after the long break was typical of the Pies' frustrating stop-start year.
3. Wells' fright becomes North's delight
A curveball was thrown at North Melbourne before the match even started with Daniel Wells hurting himself in the warm-up and undergoing a fitness test just 15 minutes before the bounce. Wells walked off Etihad Stadium with club doctors as his teammates went through their pre-game routines, reappearing minutes later for several 30m sprints along the boundary line. The classy veteran, who came back from a calf issue just last round, only stretched out to about 75 per cent speed, but he was cleared to play – and it was a crucial decision. Wells dominated the first quarter as the Roos went on a scoring blitz, with their star midfielder racking up 11 touches, three centre clearances and two goal assists.
4. Petrie bounces back
Brad Scott has stuck by out-of-form forward Drew Petrie and his faith was repaid on Friday night, with Petrie's defensive pressure helping inspire the Kangaroos' blistering start. Throughout Petrie's form slump, Scott always maintained the big Roo's tackling and chasing was still invaluable, and the 33-year-old was clamping down on anything that moved in the opening half. The spillage from one tackle gifted Lindsay Thomas his first goal, before Petrie drilled Jeremy Howe in a clear signal of intent and then caught Marley Williams holding the ball in midfield as the Pies were sweeping forward in numbers. Petrie ended the game with seven tackles and two goals, and if he can exhibit this intensity every week, it will significantly boost his chances of a new contract.
5. 'Boomer' good to go for record-breaking celebration
After powering through his 426th match unscathed, tying him with Hawthorn champ Michael Tuck for the all-time games record, Brent Harvey will be the centre of attention this week ahead of his momentous occasion against St Kilda next Saturday night. 'Boomer' was in vintage touch against the Pies, using the ball craftily with his 25 touches and screwing two clever goals over his shoulder. Although the 38-year-old marvel missed a couple of gilt-edged chances in the final term, he's bagged 29 majors this year and is averaging a tick above 20 disposals, suggesting a new one-year contract extension is a certainty and that 450 games isn't out of the question – a record that could stand for decades.
