North Melbourne have recorded a 10.11 (71) to 2.4 (16) win over Sydney in front of a packed crowd at Arden Street on Sunday afternoon, as the Roos blew out the margin in the second half.

In the opening five minutes Sydney lost in-form ruck Ally Morphett to a knee injury, forcing a reshuffle of the magnets. Teenager Maddie Quinn shouldered the bulk of the ruck duties as a result.

North Melbourne was able to exploit Sydney's lack of height, dominating the air, largely led by Kate Shierlaw's marking prowess and Tahlia Randall's strength up forward.

There was a lack of composure in the Swans' desperate attempts to rebound the footy, focused on just trying to clear the space, rather than making meaningful ground to create genuine attack.

Pressure was certainly a contributing factor in both sides' attempts to move the footy, but where North enjoyed moments of clarity and control with the uncontested ball, Sydney couldn't establish the same. This gap was born out in the uncontested possession count, ultimately falling to 195-110.

The visitors played into into the Roos' well-drilled defensive structure, handing the ball back too often. Although they couldn't get the ball into an attacking space themselves, the Swans' defence was able to minimise the damage on the scoreboard early, conceding just one goal from 12 inside 50s across the first term.

But where North Melbourne was creating deep, dangerous entries, Sydney's inside 50s were shallow, often leaving one forward to battle it out against multiple defenders.

With well-organised layers around the contest, the Roos always found an outlet to keep the ball moving, and exceptional work rate meant there were always numbers where needed.

Jasmine Garner starred through the middle, finishing with a game-high 31 disposals and 10 clearances, while Tess Craven's slick movement on the wing resulted in 17 disposals and two goals.

And this organisation was particularly evident at centre stoppage, which the home side won 11-5 – the Swans were unable to win one in the first half – giving it plenty of chances to set up the field how it desired.

Chloe Molloy tried her heart out to generate pressure and opportunity in the front half, but it was regularly in an outnumber with little support. After the main break, she was the magnet shift, thrown into the midfield and captain Lucy McEvoy moved into attack.

Even when Sydney could maintain territory, it looked impotent in the face of North Melbourne’s numbers behind the ball.

Flying Fish
What can't Zippy do? Last year's Telstra Rising Star winner Zippy Fish was looking to give her side an extra boost on the eve of three-quarter time. A long, high kick from Cynthia Hamilton to numbers in the goalsquare meant just one thing for the dashing half back - leap on the back of Kate Shierlaw. Fish got plenty of air, but unfortunately not enough to get true access to the footy. But it was a highlight for fans nonetheless.

Ruck down
Ally Morphett had been having an impressive season in the ruck for Sydney heading into Sunday's clash with the Roos, but just five minutes in that all changed. Moving toward a ground ball directly in front of the benches, Morphett moved awkwardly and went down in a lot of pain. Grabbing at her right knee and putting her hand in the air to get the attention of club doctors, she needed help to get off the field, unable to put weight through the leg, and she was almost immediately taken to the rooms in tears. 

Up next
North Melbourne will back it up at Arden Street on Sunday for its home Pride Round fixture against Fremantle on Sunday afternoon, while Sydney will close the round for its own Pride game against Carlton at Henson Park.

NORTH MELBOURNE    1.5    3.6    6.7   10.11 (71)
SYDNEY            0.0    0.2    1.3   2.4 (16)

GOALS  
North Melbourne: Randall 3, Craven 2, Sheerin, Tripodi, O'Loughlin, Eddey, Wall
Sydney: McCarthy, Ham

BEST  
North Melbourne: Garner, Craven, Birch, O'Shea, Shierlaw, Riddell
Sydney: Molloy, Fish, Gardiner, Ham, Quinn

INJURIES  
North Melbourne: Kearney (left hamstring), Gavin Mangan (finger)
Sydney: Morphett (right knee)

Crowd: 3460 at Arden Street