v's
Monday, June 15 (FP)
v's
North Melbourne 4.4 7.6 11.7 16.9 (105) Adelaide 2.3 5.7 9.10 12.11 (83)
Goals
Nth Melb: Sholl 3, Allison 3, Roberts 2, Stevens 2, Rock 2, Harvey 2, Anderson, King
Adelaide: Modra 6, Vardy 2, Robran, Bickley, Liptak, Johnson
North Melbourne defeated the in-form Adelaide team by 22 points. It was the best performance by the team this season - and served a warning that North is serious about winning back to back flags. Although Carey did not play, he is certain to bolster the lineup for the Roos next match in a fortnight's time. The Grand Final replay will be held in Sydney, and Lockett may return for that match too.
Defeating the Crows at Football Park is the toughest task in football. Adelaide was playing for top spot on the ladder, and going for their sixth straight win. With the ruck duo of Pitmann and Rehn, the AFL's leading goalkicker Modra and the best performed player this season in Ricciuto the odds were stacked in Adelaide's favour. Indeed the bookmakers had the Crows deserving hot favorites. Adding to that North not having its best two players on the ground - Carey failing a fitness test, and McKernan injured early - the victory was all the more remarkable.
In a closely fought match it was North that was able to break away in the final term, kicking the first 3 goals of the last quarter. North's hard tackling and committment was first rate. Led by acting captain Rock, North led at every break, even though Adelaide did manage to steal the lead on several occasions. The entire team lifted - proving to critics that there is more to North Melbourne than just Carey and McKernan. Pagan's coaching matchups worked superbly - Bell keeping Ricciuto quiet, Scott beating Jarman and Martyn doing a good job on Modra. Despite Modra's six goals, Martyn still dominated the backline, with several clearances while running off Modra. In the end Archer was switched to Modra in the last quarter. North also found targets up forward, with Sholl marking cleanly and players such as Roberts, Harvey and Allison able to perform "cameo" roles.
Anthony Rock was one of the best players for North - consistantly winning the ball and setting up goals. Rock has enjoyed acting as captain in the past few weeks, and his form has been inspirational. North's backline kept the Crows in check - Longmire taking several big marks, with King, Pike and Martyn prepared to run with the ball. Both teams seemed wary of the opposition's midfield - not willing to take too many risks. There was plenty of close checking, but North managed to win the ball at ground level more often.
It was definately the best team performance of the year. North didn't have a bad player, and the team effort was superb. The coaching staff could not have been more pleased with the win. McKernan was seen limping after the game - his knee has not been 100% all season, and he will need the full 14 day break to freshen up for the second half of the season. He has carried a great burden this season - filling in for both Capuano and Carey, and his determination this season epitomises the spirit at the club.
North could not shake Adelaide - and the Crows kept coming back. For much of the second quarter the ball was in the Crows forward line, but they failed to capitalise. Modra took two huge marks - but incredibly hit the post from one centimetre from goal. The Crows were threatening to run away with the match when they again took the lead early in the third quarter. But North somehow withstood the barrage, and strong marks to Craig Sholl were converted to retake the lead. After this North kept the lead until the final siren. Whatever Pagan said to the players at three quarter time certainly worked - the team came out firing and totally dominated play for the first 10 minutes.
With a break next week for State of Origin Football, North will have time for some of their players to recover. The extent of McKernan's injury is unknown, but hopefully the break will give him time. Carey, Crocker and Mellington may all be ready by the time of the Grand Final replay in Sydney. After watching Sydney's devastating performance against Richmond at the SCG this will be the match of the round. And if both Carey and Lockett return to their respective sides the AFL could not be happier - there may well be a record crowd at the SCG, and the television ratings will skyrocket.
The performance of the team serves a warning to every other AFL club - North is still the reigning Premier. If the team can maintain the intensity of today's match, then throw in a couple of useful players called Carey and McKernan and the recipe is right for a successful Premiership defense.