Aaron Black and Majak Daw in action last night.
DREW Petrie dominated yesterday’s North Melbourne intra-club match at Ballarat’s Eureka Stadium with five goals at his former home ground.
The Kangaroos spearhead, who was drafted from the North Ballarat Rebels in 2000, kicked a goal in each of the first two quarters, and three in the third, before being rested in the final 20-minute quarter.
The North Melbourne “blue” team, which played in the club’s traditional jumper and had the lion’s share of the club’s senior players, outclassed a “red” team that consisted of a number of Kangaroos listed players reinforced with several from North’s two VFL affiliates, North Ballarat and Werribee.
After keeping the red team goalless in the first half, the blue team won 16.9 (105) to 3.9 (27).
Senior coach Brad Scott said the Kangaroos “got what we wanted” from the match.
He said Petrie’s powerful performance during the first three quarters was indicative of an impressive pre-season from the 30-year-old.
“It was a good hitout,” Scott said.
“It was very blustery (but) intra-club games are mainly about getting match fitness.
“It stands that guys who show good pre-season form carry into intra-club matches. (Petrie and Robbie Tarrant) have had outstanding pre-seasons.”
Veteran Brent Harvey started with the red team but it was the blue side that kicked the first 11 goals of the match.
In addition to Petrie, Lindsay Thomas and Daniel Wells each scored two goals.
Aaron Black scored the red team’s first major before switching sides and kicking another for the blue.
Ben Cunnington signalled he was prepared for a big season as one the best afield, with Kieran Harper, Aaron Mullett and Sam Wright also impressing.
American international rookie Eric Wallace struggled to find the ball in his first competitive outing, while forward Tom Curran was lively but inaccurate in front of goal.
gavin.mcgrath@fairfaxmedia.com.au