North Melbourne 2.2 3.7 4.12 5.14 (44) Carlton 4.3 7.4 10.9 10.12 (72)
Goals
Nth Melb:
Capuano, Roberts , M Stevens, McKernan, King
Carlton:
Kernahan 3, Camporeale 3, Williams, Clape, Murphy, Brown
In front of 12,306 spectators at Waverly, North took the field in Victoria for the first time this season. Having its two
previous matches interstate this was the first time I was able to attend a match this year. I was to be disappointed. North
managed only 5 goals for the match, without Carey and Longmire. Allison lined up at full forward, but was well held by
Silvagni. I thought this tactic was doomed to failure, as Allison rarely marks on a lead. Mark Stevens would have been my
first choice for full forward. Otherwise I would have chosen Corey McKernan, with Capuano taking the ruck position.
The game was low on skill level, with both teams making several mistakes, and it was disconcerting how many times the
ball was turned over to the opposition. The last quarter, in which only 1 goal was scored almost put me to sleep.
The first quarter saw Carlton skip away to an early lead. Just about all their goals in the first quarter were a result of
free-kicks. Carlton's first goal was immediately followed by their second, without the ball having to be bounced in the
centre. Poor kicking by North cost the team dearly. Carlton was too good on the night, but North's performance was
sub-standard.
Their were few highlights in an otherwise boring match, apart from McKernan's run, pickup and goal, and Kernahan's clever
soccer style lob-pass over a North defender. Oh, I almost forgot the Carlton supporter that decided to moon the crowd at the
end of the game. To bare your arse in the freezing cold at "Arctic Park" is not recommended :) Mark Roberts injured his
knee, but (hopefully) not seriously.