v's
Sunday, July 20 (MCG, Night)
v's
North Melbourne 3.5 8.7 12.10 17.12 (114) Melbourne 1.5 2.9 4.15 7.16 (58)
Goals
Nth Melb: Bell 3, Rock 2, Scott 2, Carey 2, Sholl 2, Allison 2, Pike, Roberts, Crocker, McKernan
Melbourne: Obst, Schwarz, Stynes, Viney, Yze, Pyman, Grgic
North overturned a three game losing streak with a 10 goal win over Melbourne. The game was a lacklustre affair, and North showed there is much room for improvement. North moved back in to the eight, just ahead of four teams with 8 wins by percentage.
Pagan would have accepted a 10 goal win before the game started, but realised that North was patchy for most of the game. Certainly the tactic of using Roberts and McKernan to wear Stynes down worked. Roberts had several possessions in the first half, but his disposal was not always perfect. Carey finished the game a centre half back, and showed his fitness was improving. He had 7 marks and 19 disposals. Carey still showed that his left shoulder was restricted - and often went for the ball with just one arm. Carey may not regain full movement until next season.
Melbourne's accuracy was poor, but this was partly due to the haphazard method the ball was brought forward. Without a proper forward structure Melbourne was forced to have shots from long range. North kicked 11 goals inside 30 metres; Melbourne managed just 2.
North's kicking out needs to improve. King and Schwass were prepared to play on, but often the Melbourne zone defence may the job difficult. McKernan, who was concussed the week before, took just 3 marks.
North should have been at least 4 goals up at quarter time, but missed easy shots. But by half time North had a matchwinning lead, without having slipped into top gear. Better players for North were Bell, Roberts and King.
The highlight of the otherwise boring match was Peter Bell's banana kick from the boundary line. Bell roved the ball perfectly from the pack, taking the ball at full pace from the 50 metre line. He took a bounce, ran to 25 metres and slotted through a goal with a banana kick off his non-preferred foot. Bell has a strong chance to win goal of the year with the kick.
North meets Carlton at the dreaded Optus Oval - and Blakey and Laidley should return to bolster the defense. The main injury worry for North is Archer - who copped a knock to his knee.