v's
Friday, August 1 (MCG, Night)
v's
North Melbourne 5.7 8.10 10.12 11.17 (83) Essendon 4.2 5.5 7.10 8.16 (64)
Goals
Nth Melb: Sholl 3, Carey 2, Bell 2, McKernan 2, Pike, ALlison
Essendon: Lucas 3, Fletcher 2, Prior, Lloyd, Caracella
North won its third game in succession, by defeating Essendon by 19 points. After Essendon got the jump on North, kicking 3 goals in the first 4 minutes of the game, the Roos took over and dominated until half time. The victory helps North to keep in touch with the top 4. North virutally has to finish in the top four to avoid an interstate final.
As expected Essendon came out firing. With the recent controversy at Windy Hill, and the defection of the Essendon recruiting manager to Collingwood occurring during the week North expected a torrid affair. Add to that the humiliating defeat the Essendon had suffered against Port Adelaide - inspired by two former Essendon stars (Wanganeen and Cummings) - and the 38,000 strong crowd was expecting fireworks.
In the first 4 minutes of the game Essendon slammed through 3 goals straight. Dermott Brereton commented at the time on 3MMM that they were "bonus goals" as the game had get to develop into a pattern. His comments were spot on - they goals were almost considered to be "flukes". When Lucas kicked his fourth, and Essendon's fourth the Bombers were at least threatening to blow the game out.
But the pattern of the game had not been set. Pagan left Sholl at full forward on the smaller Blumfield. Sholl went amok - marking everything and kicking 3 goals in the first quarter to wrest back the lead. North was on front for the rest of the game from that moment. Sholl could probably have kicked 5 or 6 goals in the first hald - due to some unsusually errent kicking.
North outclassed Essendon until half time. After the break Sheedy chose to turn the game in to a defensive and crowded tactical affair. Few goals were scored. In contrast to the first quarter it took 17 minutes for the first goal to be scored. North stretched the lead to 26 points, but the margin was just 20 points at the last break.
The match was fair from over. Essendon kicked the first goal of the quarter - and was just 14 points down. With the crowd finally coming to life Essendon lifted - and dominated play for about 10 minutes. However the North backline did not give an inch. The best Essendon could do was to mark at 50 metres, and shoot for goal. At one stage Essendon had 4 set shots for goal, all from around 50 metres, in a 4 minute period. Inaccurate kicking cost Essendon a chance of victory. Several mistakes by the Essendon players resulted in turnovers - some of which resulted in goals for North.
North was pleased to win, but Pagan acted as if North had lost the game. In his post match interview he expressed disappointment in the performance of several players, but refused to be more specific. He stated that North had to work on several areas of their game to be better. North probably expected to win this game by 10 goals, but quietly were happy just to take the four points for the win.
North would be encouraged by McKernan's performance. The ruckman is clearly still not fit, and troubled by a knee injury. However he has corageously kept going, in the absence of Capuano. Carey showed he has more movement in his shoulder, and took a few overhead marks. He still does not look totally match fit, and his decision making at times shows he has missed several games. For the second week in a row he gave off a handball to a teammate in trouble. Both times the teammate was less than 3 metres from Carey, and there was little benefit in the play.
North's backline was superb. Led by Martyn they covered for the abscence of King and Laidley. North fans must be wondering how serious Laidley's thigh injury really is. The "Junk Yard Dog" is due to play is 150th game, if he makes it back. Archer retured to the backline, after hobbling around injured last week. His game was steady, but not up to the standard of last year. Archer has realised his season has been inconsistent, and now that he is fit there is no reason to see the raging bull being stopped. Schwass played the role of the "sweeper" in defense. His form has improved considerably in the last month.
With a tough opponent in Brisbane - North still mnust remain focussed. Although they defeated Essendon, their form was down, and would not have been good enough to beat a better opponent. Rock, still suffering from the flu, will be better off next week, and Laidley might return to strengthen the Roos.