A big second half was enough for finals-bound North Melbourne to secure the ... - Herald Sun

Jack Watts can’t catch Daniel Wells. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: News Corp Australia

THAT’S the trouble with dress rehearsals.

You put on all the gear, make all the right noises and go through the motions on the stage itself, but you can’t really replicate the real thing.

For North Melbourne, this was supposed to be a game where it could hone its game style, blow out a few pre-finals cobwebs and give some fringe players the chance to push their selection credentials ahead of September.

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott addresses the media after his side's 123-93 win over Melbourne.

The problem is that when there is nothing especially meaningful at stake, it can be difficult to play at full intensity. Sydney and Essendon both seemed to struggle with the same issue earlier in the day.

In the opening 10 minutes, the Kangaroos looked like they were keen to make a statement. They banged on three unanswered goals, the first from a Jack Ziebell contested mark at the top of the goalsquare, the next from free-kick awarded after a ferocious Drew Petrie tackle on James Frawley.

But soon enough the edge came off North’s game and it was scrapping away at the same standard as a bottom-two team, fumbling and turning the ball over with poor decisions and lazy disposals.

Jack Ziebell pumps his fist after the final siren. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

The Roos allowed Melbourne to kick six of the next nine goals and get out to a 12-point lead before upping the ante and drawing level at half-time.

Thereafter the Roos dominated as the game opened up and Melbourne started to become ragged, with the end of their season looming large.

So what do North fans take from this dead rubber?

Melbourne Demons coach Paul Roos addresses the media after his side's 123-93 loss to North Melbourne.

There were times – usually when the ball was moved on quickly - when the North forward line looked potent. The hard-working Petrie and Ben Brown combined well as viable tall marking targets, and brought crumbers like Leigh Adams and Kane Turner into the contest.

Turner, who resembles a smaller version of premiership defender Dean Laidley and attacks the footy in a similarly reckless manner, sets a stellar example for his teammates in the one-percenter department and also brings an energy to the North line-up.

In the attacking half coach Brad Scott also continued his tactic of rotating the likes of Jack Ziebell and Ben Cunnington through full-forward and they will be handy pinch-hitters when required to bob up and kick goals in finals.

Umpire Jordan Bannister talks with Chris Dawes after a free kick. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Playing in just his second game in four months, Daniel Wells, whose polish and run adds another dimension to team, ran out the game well, finishing with 20 possessions. He was used at centre clearances in the final quarter, and one slashing run out of traffic midway through the term helped set up a Mason Wood goal.

Wood put in a useful effort on debut, booting three goals playing as a marking mid-sized forward. He may struggle to retain his spot in the 22 when reinforcements arrive next week, but his clean skills earmark him as a bright prospect.

For Melbourne, it was more of what they have seen throughout the season. They had a crack and look like they have a better structure and game plan than in previous seasons. But the turnovers and wasted chances are incredibly frustrating.

Mason Wood kicked a few goals in his AFL debut. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

About 90 seconds before half-time, with the Demons seven points up and in possession deep in their backline, their runner came charging onto the field signalling for the team to slow it down and retain the football. The very next kick was back into the corridor at centre half-back and resulted in an Aaron Mullet goal.

Early in the last quarter, Chris Dawes, one of Melbourne’s better performers on the night, showed exactly how frustrating he found the whole affair when he conceded three free kicks for high contact within a four-minute spell. One of them, an elbow to Andrew Swallow’s chin, could attract the attention of the match review panel.

For the Demons, there is plenty of hard work to be done over summer, but for the Roos, the dress rehearsal was safely negotiated and the opening night of the finals awaits.