“The Kangas have arrived”: Why North great believes the phoenix is rising

The Kangaroos have arrived… finally.

That is according to North Melbourne champion David King who believes this side is now rising fast.

Alastair Clarkson’s Roos ran over the top of Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, claiming a 59-point win which was their biggest result since 2020.

King, a two-time premiership Roo, loved what he saw from the midfield group including Harry Sheezel (28 disposals), Tom Powell (31 disposals) and Luke Davies-Uniacke (23 disposals) who fed the likes of Nick Larkey (three goals), Paul Curtis (three goals) and Cam Zurhaar (four goals).

“The Kangas have arrived,” King said on SEN Breakfast.

“This is the start of the rise, the phoenix rising.

“For the first time they played with confidence, the midfield played with a bit of arrogance, stepping out of stoppage, stepping out of traffic.

“It was the trump cards in the middle of the ground. It’s as good a game as I’ve seen Powell play, he’s got that capability. Sheezel has been a consistent performer at a high level for a long time. ‘LDU’ was terrific.

“Because their kicks were advantaged to the forwards due to the extra time they had stepping out of stoppage, it all worked forward of the ball. Paul Curtis is a serious footballer, he is a serious footballer, keep your eye on Paul.

“I think that Nick Larkey is going to have a fantastic year on the end of some of this supply.”

The Roos kicked their biggest score - 125 - since Round 24, 2023 while keeping the Dees to just 66 which was just the sixth time they’ve restricted a side to less than 100 in their last 25 outings.

They next meet the free-scoring Crows in Adelaide this Sunday afternoon.