v's
Monday, June 9(MCG)
v's
North Melbourne 2.5 6.7 10.12 15.15 (105) Fremantle 3.3 6.5 10.5 12.7 (79)
Goals
Nth Melb: Sholl 4, Harvey 3, Archer 2, McKernan 2, King 2, Rock, Anderson
Fremantle: Allan 3, Callaghan 3, Toia, Mann, Brown, Black, Clement, Sinclair
North Melbourne held off a determined Fremantle side to run out 26 point winners. In a match where the lead changed almost 20 times, the Roos had a lead of less than one goal 10 minutes into the last quarter. Brent Harvey kicked the next three goals of the match to seal victory for North. Previous to this no side had managed to get 2 goals clear of the opposition.
North dropped Allison and Kirzner for Schwass and first gamer Paul Wynd. Surprisingly Anthony Rock captained the team despite Schwass returning. North lined up with Archer and Sholl in the forward line. It took almost 12 minutes for the first goal of the match to be scored - and from then on goals were exchanged right until the last quarter. It was a very close game, with North getting the benefit of the umpiring decisions. This lead to Docker coach Neesham lashing out at umpires after the match, threatening to lodge a formal report to the AFL.
Neither side could dominate the game to their desired playing style. North gained drive from King, who kicked two goals from half-back. McKernan also played well, despite dislocating a finger. The inaccuracy of North probably allowed Fremantle to stay clsoe to North right up to the finish. It was a lacklustre match, with very few highlights, and many mistakes from both sides.
It took an inspired 6 minute burst by Brent Harvey for North to claim victory. Harvey showed his goalsense and exciting speed, especially in kicking his third goal. Harvey burst on to the loose ball, accelerating past his opponents, gathering and goaling from 30 metres. North finished on top probably due to better fitness, and better support from players off the bench. McKernan and Chandler were fantastic in the last quarter - both taking several marks in the midfield to launch counter-attacks.
North did not play well during this match. Although the team would be satisfied with winning, it was a disappointing display, and North was expected to win this match by a larger margin. To Fremantle's credit they kept running and attacking the ball, and kicked more accurately in front of goal. Perhaps the most interesting decision of the day was the goal awarded to Fremantle that clearly hit the post. The goal umpire was overruled by the boundary and field umpires - and thankfully changed his decision. In such a close match this decision could have made a difference in the final result.
North could be reasonably happy with the performances of McKernan, King, Stevens, Martyn and Harvey. Schwass had a few touches, but still is a long way off the form that saw him win two club best and fairests. North travels to Adelaide next week - in a game where the Crows are hot favourites to win. But the question that everyone is asking is will Carey be back for that game?
First Quarter Goals (including time elapsed):
11:37 F - Clement
13:00 N - Anderson
14:50 F - Mann
19:54 N - Sholl
25:09 F - Toia
Second Quarter Goals (including time elapsed):
1:34 N - King
7:33 F - Callaghan
10:23 N - Rock
15:50 N - King
17:52 F - Brown
22:07 N - McKernan
23:13 F - Sinclair
Third Quarter Goals (including time elapsed):
4:51 F - Allan
8:54 F - Black
11:12 N - Sholl
13:03 F - Callaghan
20:54 N - Sholl
22:27 N - Archer
24:20 F - Allan
27:48 N - McKernan
Fourth Quarter Goals (including time elapsed):
5:00 F - Allan
6:45 N - Archer
8:00 F - Callaghan
9:53 N - Harvey
14:51 N - Harvey
15:39 N - Harvey
26:20 N - Sholl