TORRENTIAL rain in Cairns made for terrible conditions on Saturday night and as a result, North Melbourne set a modern-day record for the fewest marks ever officially taken in a game.

Since stats have been recorded by Champion Data in 1999, no team has taken fewer grabs than North's 21 against Gold Coast, which is three fewer than the individual marking record for a match.  

The previous low was held by the Western Bulldogs, with 25 against Geelong in round 16, 2014.

That game took place at GMHBA Stadium and heavy rain similarly blighted the contest.

Ruckman Todd Goldstein took a team-high three marks and 10 Kangaroos finished with none.

North Melbourne had 217 kicks from their 346 disposals, while the Suns took 59 marks for the match and finished with 295 kicks from their 403 disposals.

Since 1999, four players have taken more than 21 marks in a game, with Brian Lake managing the most in that time, with 24 while playing for the Bulldogs against Brisbane in round 11, 2007.