Nick Lower’s credentials as a defensive midfielder continue to rise, claiming another scalp in North Melbourne prime mover Andrew Swallow Saturday at Etihad Stadium.

Modest in his efforts, Lower posted a club record 15 tackles during his negating role on the industrious playmaker.
 
Running with the Kangaroos’ skipper for four quarters, Lower limited Swallow’s influence to just 18 disposals and two clearances – almost nine disposals and five clearances below his average this season.
 
“I went into the game knowing that to get on top you have to play pretty physical, Andrew [Swallow] is a fantastic midfielder and leads their club really well,” he said.
 
“It’s pleasing but at the same time, it is a team effort.”
 
The 25-year-old said the Bulldogs’ first three quarters against North Melbourne continued to illustrate the direction the Club is going.
 
Confident in his new teammates potential, the former Fremantle Docker believes when the Dogs are on they can match it with any side.
 
“It was a real insight into the future of the Club and when we are playing our best, what we are capable of,” Lower said.
 
“They are a fantastic side North Melbourne, they have come up against some pretty tough opponents early on in the year – to run with them for three quarters was pretty great.”

Despite the two sides being in different stages of their development, Lower refuses to shrug off the loss.  
 
A 19 point margin at three quarter time saw the Bulldogs get within striking distance but a drop in defensive pressure allowed North Melbourne to take hold of the game.
 
“I don’t think we will shy away from the fact that the game was there to be won at three quarter time and, look, we will analyse the game and move forward from there,” he said.
 
Lower was pleased with his teammates’ resolve, especially early, applying persistent pressure around the ball and winning the tackle count by nine.
 
“We spoke… before the game about making it physical from the start, so it was really pleasing to see the boys crack in and I thought there was some bone crunching tackles, especially in that first quarter,” he said.
 
“That was probably the game in the end, the physicality probably dropped out from our end, which was a bit disappointing.”