Jarrad Waite has made a thumping return for North Melbourne, the powerful forward booting six goals to help seal a 59-point win and end Adelaide’s unbeaten start in the AFL.
The Kangaroos dominated play from the opening siren, keeping the Crows scoreless in the first quarter and maintaining their lead at every break in the 22.13 (145) to 13.8 (86) victory at Blundstone Arena.
It was Waite’s first game since round one when he suffered a shoulder injury, but there were no signs of the ailment as the veteran led his team on a first-quarter rampage in Hobart.
At the first break the Roos had amassed 10 goals – three courtesy of Waite – and boasted a 64-0 lead against the competition leaders.
In light drizzle the Crows returned inspired for the second term and quickly added to the scoreboard, including Eddie Betts’ much-anticipated 500th goal.
But the forward was flattened on the goal line by North’s Scott Thompson giving Betts a second kick at goal to immediately move to 501 goals.
Waite was North’s leading goal scorer, also finishing with 22 disposals. Ben Brown booted three goals for the Roos.
Betts’ set of three was the best for the Crows.
In bad news for North, forward Brown left the ground midway through the first quarter with a suspected dislocated shoulder.
He came back early in the second term, with strapping visible at the top of his left arm, but looked uncomfortable.
Minutes before half time Brown had a clear shot at goal from about 25 metres but hesitated and managed only a minor score.
He improved later in the game, finding the middle of the tall posts from 50 metres in the final quarter.
Before the game started Corey Wagner was called in for North to replace Taylor Garner who was suffering hamstring soreness.
Playing his first game for the season, midfielder Wagner left the ground after just 14 minutes with an ankle complaint and did not return.
The Crows lost Tom Lynch just before half time, concussed after a clash with Waite.
The result is Adelaide’s first loss for the season and only North’s second win from seven rounds.
