Poor Good Friday showing renews criticism on North’s prime time fixture

North Melbourne have come under renewed scrutiny over their prime time Good Friday fixture after another poor showing against the Western Bulldogs.

The Kangaroos, who lost the fixture by 128 points in 2021, fell flat against the Dogs to the tune of 68 points in the Round 5 marquee matchup.

North, who have won just one game so far this season against the Eagles, struggled for much of the game as the Bulldogs cruised to another comfortable Good Friday win, raising questions over whether the prime time match should continue to be awarded to the Arden Streeters.

AFL journalist Damian Barrett raised the issue on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show, stating that the league would "have to have a look" at North Melbourne's involvement should they wish to prevent another uncompetitive showing.

“There’s no point sugar coating North Melbourne’s involvement in this game,” Barrett said.

“They’ve had it for five years, they’ve effectively fought for it Good Friday for five years under various administrations.

“Of the five matches they’ve played they’ve won one of the five, that was against St Kilda when they were going through a really rough patch.

"They haven't provided enough evidence to think they should keep it."@barrettdamian says the AFL will have to look at whether North Melbourne deserves to keep the Good Friday fixture. #9AFLSFS | @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/DsGYbs434X

— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) April 17, 2022

“While they do a lot of work with the Royal Children’s hospital in the lead up to the game and during the game, it’s ultimately most significant what they do in the game itself.

“As much as they want to argue and fight to keep it, I know the AFL will have to have a look at this.

“They haven’t provided enough evidence to think they should keep it.”

Kangaroos coach David Noble remained firm post-game, revealing that North expected to keep the fixture next season.

“We’re fighting like tooth and nail on this game. We love this game. We’re very privileged to play in this game, but yeah, we would not expect to lose this game,” Noble said.

“I understand today is a big piece of (how the fixture is assessed). I understand that, but it’s a bit broader than that. We do a lot of work behind the scenes as a club to support the Royal Children’s Hospital and Good Friday.”

The Kangaroos have played in all Good Friday matches since it's inception in 2017, losing all but one.

The 2022 fixture attracted 31,162 fans under the roof at Marvel Stadium, while 157,000 watched on in Melbourne on Channel Seven.