There’s something about Sam Kerridge and the Kangaroos.

On Saturday night, for the second time in as many games, Kerridge created headaches for the Roos.

Released from the shutdown role he’s played for most of the season, the young onballer lined up as a “free man” across half forward. He didn’t rack up a big number of possessions, finishing with a mere nine disposals for the game. But his four kicks were four goals. Prior to the match, Kerridge had kicked four goals for the season.

The equal-game high haul improves his tally against North Melbourne to 10 goals in two games – half of his career goals (21) have been against the Roos.

Kerridge famously kicked six to spearhead Adelaide’s stunning come-from-behind victory at Etihad Stadium in Round Nine last year. In just his seventh game, the Mildura product was also responsible for kicking the ball inside 50m to set up Jared Petrenko’s match-winner.

“A few people have asked me what it is about me and the Kangaroos. I’m not too sure,” Kerridge said after Adelaide’s 36-point win on Saturday night.

“Tonight was the first time this season I haven’t really tagged anyone and I just tried to make the most of it and enjoy it while I could. Rory Laird did a good job tagging (Brent Harvey) tonight.

“I really don’t know, maybe, there’s just something about the Roos.”

Kerridge’s four-goal game followed a tough trip to the West where he was subbed out in the third quarter after his direct opponent, Fremantle star Nathan Fyfe, got away from him.

The 21-year-old said he was keen to atone for a disappointing display against the Dockers.

“No one likes getting subbed out,” Kerridge said.

“Tonight, I was a free man to run around and try to get a kick or two. I struggled a bit early, but it was fantastic to send a few through the big sticks and come away with the win, which was the main thing.”

Coach Brenton Sanderson said the decision to use Laird rather than Kerridge to tag Brent Harvey was because of the North Melbourne champion’s specific skill set.

“We felt Laird was the right match-up for Harvey. I know Kerridge played well on Ablett a couple of weeks ago, but because Harvey spends more time forward Laird has the experience as a defender to play on him,” Sanderson said.

“It allowed us to use Kerridge in that role as a high half forward and he kicked four goals. Kerridge has been unbelievable this year for such a young and inexperienced player. He’s done some important roles for us with Nathan van Berlo being injured.

“I know Harvey had 12 (of his 31 possessions) in the last quarter and kicked a couple of goals, but I liked little Lairdy’s job tonight.”

As has been the case over the past two months, Saturday night’s win followed a disappointing loss the previous week.

As has also been the case, the win came on the back of an even contribution from the 22 players. The victory keeps Adelaide in touch with the top eight, one game behind the Kangaroos and Gold Coast in seventh and eighth spot.

The victory was also important in defender Brent Reilly’s 200^th game.

“Brent’s given so much to the Club and in a milestone game we really wanted to celebrate it with a good win for him. The boys really fought for him and played four really good quarters of footy,” Kerridge said.

“We’re already looking forward to next week, now. It’s going to be a big focus backing it up next week. We’ve been a bit up and down. We’ll be back to work on Monday and look forward to another great challenge on Saturday night.”