Kuwarna recorded its biggest win of the season against North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon. 

After an even first term, Kuwarna took control of the contest in the second quarter, booting 10-goals-to-none, setting up an eventual 20.13 (133) to 9.11 (65) victory. 

Senior Coach Matthew Nicks spoke to the media after the match, and delivered five key takeaways.

Kuwarna produces its best football of the season

Kuwarna’s sixth victory of 2026 was its most convincing, as it led at every change, and kicked its highest score of its campaign so far.

Nicks explained what he believed was the catalyst behind his team’s strong performance. 

“We knew we were coming up against a side that was playing a really strong brand of footy in North, so to get the game where we got it and get back to some of the things we do best was really pleasing,” Nicks said.

“Things like being clean with the ball and punching back at the oppo, we couldn’t be happier with the way the boys went about it.

“We found a little bit more punch off that intercept today, we know it takes a contest to get that, you don’t get to just punch off half back and link up through handball if you don’t compete. 

“Today we had enough pressure on our opposition that we earned the right to play the way we did.” 

Rankine thriving in midfield role

Livewire Izak Rankine backed up a career-high 33 disposal game against Richmond last week with another prolific display against North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.

Despite being tagged by Kangaroos stopper Finn O’Sullivan, Rankine’s class rose to the fore, as he gathered a match-high 28 disposals, to go with 10 clearances and eight score involvements

“He’s found that midfield role and that niche of what it looks like with him playing as an on-baller,” Nicks said.

“He’s not chasing the game at the moment, he’s allowing the game to come to him, he’s got real clarity around what he does and what’s really important for the team.

“So with that, we’re getting rewarded along with him, because he’s in the right spots when needed.

“He's always been known for the flashy stuff and goals from the boundary, but what we’re seeing now is big tackles, chase downs from the middle of the ground and he’s in positions that we look back at as a team and reward.

“He’s in a really good space physically in the way he’s moving, but mentally as well in the fact he’s enjoying playing footy and is playing a really important role in our midfield.”

Rucks stand tall against quality opposition

Inexperienced ruck duo Lachlan McAndrew and Toby Murray were tasked with battling in-form Kangaroo Tristan Xerri, and both rose to the challenge, playing a big role in the victory.

McAndrew was particularly impressive with his tapwork, as he helped his team to a commanding 41-32 victory in the clearances, and worked hard to match Xerri around the ground.

The Kuwarna pair also had an impact on the scoreboard, kicking two goals each to cap a strong day. 

“It was led by our big boys, both of them (in Lachlan McAndrew and Toby Murray), I thought our rucks were huge today against arguably the best ruck in the competition,” Nicks said. 

“Stretch (McAndrew) was just giving us the best opportunity in there from a first use point of view, and I thought our mids fed off that really well and went to work.

“If you look at stoppage scores that (stat) was hugely in our favour, and then our rucks were able to push forward and kick a couple of goals which you don’t get every week and a huge bonus. 

“The challenge for Lachie going up against elite ruckmen every week is huge, you can’t underestimate how taxing that is on the body, so he’s grinding his way and working his way through that very well.” 

Forwards helped by slick ball movement

Despite missing spearheads Riley Thilthorpe and Taylor Walker due to injuries, Kuwarna was still able to consistently hit the scoreboard, as it produced its biggest score of the season. 

Nicks said his team’s ability to kick 20 goals was a product of the work it did up the field and the contest, with the forwards the beneficiary of slick ball movement across the four quarters.

“It’s not about personnel so much ahead of the ball, when we get our game going like that it’s a combination of 18 players working together,” Nicks said. 

“We found a contest at a different level, and I’ve been pushing that hard for a few weeks and it started with our mids today. I thought they were fantastic in how they worked across the ground. 

“Our backs have always been very solid defensively, but I thought they added a bit more today when it came to how we exploded off intercept - so that changes the way we take the ball into our forward half.

“I have no doubt with Walker and Thilthorpe in that forward line we would have had a similar result if we delivered the ball in there like that.”

Fogarty impresses in return

Forward Darcy Fogarty made his return to the AFL side from a back injury, and was a commanding presence ahead of the ball for Kuwarna. 

After missing the past six matches, the 26-year-old slotted seamlessly back into the line-up, booting two goals and taking a team-high seven marks.

“We had some quiet confidence around what we’d been seeing while he wasn’t playing, not that he needed to get hungrier, but we saw something in how he watched footy on the sidelines and spoke to the group about what he was seeing,” Nicks said.

“He wanted to play the week prior, but we felt a game in the SANFL would help and he went back and was the ultimate professional. We saw some glimpses of that lead up and power he’s got and today I thought he was outstanding.

“The way we got our game going allowed our forwards to come at the game, and I think up to half time we were playing some of our best footy in terms of hitting marks on the lead, and he was a big factor in that.”

Sir Doug Nicholls Round continues next week, with Kuwarna taking on Hawthorn in Launceston on Thursday night.