Geelong Cats hit roadblock in top-two race North Melbourne keeps its top eight hopes alive with an upset 10-point victory over second placed Geelong. North Melbourne's Ben Jacobs and Lindsay Thomas celebrate during the Kangaroos' win over Geelong. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: TheAustralian AFTER falling to North Melbourne by 10 points at Etihad Stadium last night, Geelong faces a potentially problematic September if it is to claim a fourth premiership in seven seasons. The Cats, who kicked the first two goals of the match and later closed to within two points deep in the third term, were unable to reel in a North Melbourne side that showed the poise and fortitude that had deserted it in a string of close losses earlier this year. Although the Kangaroos established a 19-point buffer early in the last quarter, they were never secure given their recent history of blowing games and the Cats' ability to overcome adversity. But a critical passage on the wing, with just five minutes remaining and the margin only 11 points, exemplified why the result went North Melbourne's way. Both Geelong captain Joel Selwood and North Melbourne enforcer Jack Ziebell threw themselves at a loose ball in desperation, with the footy spilling the Kangaroos' way. It allowed the Kangaroos to work the ball forward and, when Lindsay Thomas found Ryan Bastinac free at the top of the square, his third goal proved the sealer. The defeat loosens Geelong's hold on second position, a situation that could imperil it come the finals. There is much at stake for the Cats over the next month. A top-two position is looming as critical given the form of both Sydney and Fremantle. Should the Cats slip to third and either the Swans or Dockers claim second spot, it would mean Geelong would need to head interstate for its first qualifying final. That could potentially set up a preliminary final clash against Hawthorn, a game neither side would particularly fancy despite the Cats' unblemished record over its old foe since its loss in the 2008 grand final. Essendon sits fourth, but its fate may be determined by the ASADA investigation into its supplements program last year, with the anti-doping agency delivering its interim report to the AFL last night. North Melbourne's most complete performance of the season keeps alive its faint finals hopes, though it remains two wins behind eighth-placed Port Adelaide. It needs to avenge another loss of less than a goal this season when it plays the Crows in Adelaide next Sunday and also defeat Essendon, Hawthorn and Collingwood. A most difficult task. The Kangaroos' best chance of playing in September rests on the misfortune of others. They effectively need the Bombers to be stripped of premiership points, while matching their efforts of last year when they stormed home in the latter part of the year. But if they can reproduce their form from last night, no finalist will feel particularly comfortable in facing the Kangaroos in the run home. Geelong's smart small forwards in Steven Motlop, who starred with three goals, and Mathew Stokes gave the Cats an early advantage, with Lachie Hanson kicking the Kangaroos' only goal in the first 15 minutes. Yet by the end of the quarter the lead was North Melbourne's as it seized control through the midfield, with Brent Harvey and Daniel Wells particularly strong. Wells, the Kangaroos' best midfielder, had Geelong tagger Taylor Hunt breathing down his neck and decided that the best way to ease the shackles was to head into North Melbourne's forward 50m arc. There he was able to twice shake Hunt to mark in space for successive goals. The Cats reclaimed the lead within five minutes of the second term, beginning when both Tom Hawkins and Nathan Vardy kicked accurately after receiving free kicks. Yet that seemed to spur North Melbourne, which dominated the remainder of the second term with its slick handball allowing the Kangaroos to outpace the premiership fancy. A classic example of this and the benefits that resulted came late in the second term. The Kangaroos were able to pressure Geelong into a turnover deep in the Cats attack and, on winning possession, raced the ball forward in part due to the zip of Brent Harvey, with another veteran in Drew Petrie running on to a loose ball to extend North Melbourne's lead to 20 points. Geelong worked back into the match in the third term, with its ability to zone off to an opponent making it harder for North Melbourne to continue with the overlapping handball that made it so dangerous in the first half. Mitch Duncan was dangerous in attack with two goals, while Harry Taylor and Corey Enright began to control the defensive 50m arc. Only a late goal to Leigh Adams allowed the Kangaroos an eight-point buffer at the final break. North Melbourne 4.3 10.4 12.5 15.6 (96) Geelong 3.1 7.2 11.3 13.8 (86) Goals: North Melbourne Kangaroos: D Wells 4 R Bastinac 3 L Adams 2 A Mullett B Jacobs D Petrie J Ziebell L Hansen L Thomas. Geelong: S Motlop 3 M Duncan 2 N Vardy 2 B Smedts H Taylor M Stokes S Johnson T Hawkins T Varcoe.