North Melbourne claimed their second big AFL scalp of the season on Sunday with a 32-point win over Adelaide, tipping the Crows out of the top four.
In a match Adelaide were expected to win to climb to top spot, the Crows found themselves 41 points down at halftime and were unable to claw their way back despite a nine-goal second half.
North Melbourne won 17.11 (121) to 13.11 (89) in front of 18,866 fans at Etihad Stadium as Brad Scott’s Kangaroos improved their record to 6-6, while the Crows suffered just their third defeat for the season.
Robbie Tarrant kicked four goals for the Kangaroos while Lindsay Thomas and Leigh Adams booted three goals each.
Taylor Walker kicked three goals for Adelaide and was a constant threat up front with 19 possessions and 10 marks.
Walker’s fellow key forward Kurt Tippett was subbed off at halftime with concussion.
Midfielder Daniel Wells was in tremendous touch for the Kangaroos while Adams and Ryan Bastinac were also busy and Todd Goldstein did well in the ruck against the in-form Sam Jacobs.
Scott Thompson and Patrick Dangerfield were among Adelaide’s good contributors in a missed opportunity for the Crows, who have dropped to fifth.
North’s outside run was crucial in the opening term as the Kangaroos gathered almost twice as many handballs as Adelaide.
The home side scored six goals to Adelaide’s three to lead by 22 points at quarter-time.
The Kangaroos continued their dominance with four goals to one in the second term to hold a 41-point advantage at halftime.
But the Crows rallied in the third term to outscore the Kangaroos five goals to three and cut the margin to 30 points at three-quarter time.
North, who had led by 27 points during the last quarter before suffering a two-point loss to Port Adelaide in round eight, had some nervous moments on Sunday before Tarrant’s fourth goal at the 18-minute mark pushed the margin back out to 38 points.
Both teams kicked four goals in the last term.
North’s other big win this year was against defending premiers Geelong in round three, but the Kangaroos lost four of their next five matches.
Adelaide host Richmond next Saturday while the Kangaroos face St Kilda at Etihad Stadium the following day.
