North Melbourne have come from behind to score a 13-point win against Hawthorn in Shepparton.
The Kangaroos trailed by 24 points at quarter-time, but rallied to the 2.9.13 (85) to 1.9.9 (72) win in front of 7591 fans at Deakin Reserve.
Jordan Lewis gave away a clumsy 50m penalty with under three minutes remaining that allowed Lindsay Thomas to kick a super goal that put his side back in front at the end of a see-sawing encounter.
It was the Roos’ first win of the NAB Challenge, but they’ll be sweating on the outcome of the match review panel after Jarrad Waite was reported for striking Ben Stratton in the second quarter.
It was one of the few low points in an encouraging display by North.
Sam Wright, Ben Cunnington and Andrew Swallow were all busy on the ball with Thomas their most dangerous forward with three goals including a nine-pointer.
Hawthorn’s line-up was loaded with premiership stars, but stand-in coach Cameron Bruce wasn’t afraid to experiment with youngsters Jonathan O’Rourke, Jed Anderson and Jonathon Ceglar often starting in the middle at the bounce.
It was the old hands who impressed most, however, with Lewis, Sam Mitchell and Josh Gibson among their best.
Isaac Smith is an injury concern for Hawthorn after being subbed out with a leg issue.
After a less-than-ideal start to his career in brown and gold, James Frawley put in a better performance matched up against Waite for most of the day.
The Hawks had first use of a decent breeze and they used it to good effect.
Jack Gunston kicked the opening goal after a strong run out of defence by Frawley and, with the Roos guilty of turning the ball over on occasion, Hawthorn added another three goals to hold a handy 24-point lead at the first break.
Cunnington kicked North’s first goal early in the second quarter and it marked the start of a better period for Brad Scott’s side.
Swallow, Wright and Brent Harvey were all prominent as the Kangaroos chipped away at Hawthorn’s lead with a Harvey super goal on the stroke of halftime bringing the deficit back to just five points.
Thomas put his side in front for the first time with his second goal of the day early in the third quarter before the Hawks rallied with a nine-pointer to Gibson helping his side to an eight-point lead at three quarter-time.
Luke Hodge sent a scare through the Hawthorn camp after Leigh Adams cannoned into his back late in the term, and while clearly in pain, the premiership captain got up to take his free kick after the siren.
Thomas’ super goal brought the crowd to its feet late in the match with Ryan Bastinac putting the result beyond doubt with the final goal of an entertaining affair.
