v's
Friday, August 8 (MCG, Night)
v's
North Melbourne 5.6 9.8 13.11 17.14 (116) Brisbane 2.1 5.3 6.4 9.5 (59)
Goals
Nth Melb: Sholl 3, Rock 2, Pike 2, McKernan 2, Roberts 2, Longmire 2, A Stevens, Blakey, Bell, D Stevens
Brisbane: Leppitsch 2, Gowers, Akermanis, Bamford, Bradshaw, McRae, A Lynch, T Lynch
North Melbourne completed outplayed Brisbane and moved to fifth place on the ladder. However Corey McKernan was carried from the field at the 20 minute mark of the third quarter with a serious leg injury. Intially it was though that McKernan had injured his troublesome right knee. Later reports suggested a broken leg. However scans have shown that McKernan has a strained interosseous membrane. The club claims McKernan will miss between 3-5 weeks, but there is every possibility that McKernan's season is over.
From the first bounce North's rugged attack on the ball seemed to unsettle Brisbane. North had Longmire rucking in the centre, and McKernan at half forward. Roberts was left to play as a free midfielder, and Carey at centre-half-back. Suprisingly Carey stayed in the backline for the entire game. Craig Sholl was the early star for North, kicking 3 first quarter goals (just as he did the previous week).
North's absolute dominance was clear - at quarter time North had scored 11 times to 3, and lead by 23 points. This pattern continued for the rest of the game, with the Roos winning every quarter. Brisbane had no answer for Pagans' match-ups.
North seemed to adopt a variation of the usual gameplan. Pagan used the tactic of flooding the midfield, to prevent Brisbane from running the ball through the centre. Often North had few players in the forward 50m arc. There was nothing new in this, but the variation occurred in the way North used the football. Instead of kicking long every time, the ball was often kicked short. The player with the ball would then wait for other players to move downfield before kicking long, or chipping the ball back in to the centre. North employed the short kicking tactic late in the time-on period of each quarter. It seemed Pagan wanted to reduce the chance of Brisbane kicking a late goal, even if it meant limiting North's opportunities.
Longmire was the best player for North. He had several possessions, and won ruck contests as well. The backline was a pillar of strength. Pike was fired up for the match, and kicked two goals. It seemed he wanted to prove to Brisbane that he could play (Brisbane decided not to draft Pike in the merger). Carey looked weel suited to the backline, as punching the ball was easier than marking with one arm. Interestingly Sholl moved further up the ground after quarter time, just as he did the week before.
North has now won four in a row - a feat they acheived only once last season. With all the remaining matches at the MCG, North has the game plan to beat any team. However the loss of McKernan is a serious blow to defending the premiership. North must now rely on Longmire, Roberts and Mellington in the ruck. Groom may be promoted from the reserves for his first game with North. He has been at the club for almost 2 seasons, having two knee reconstructions during that time. Hewitt may be given a second game if the ruck stocks need boosting. Dean Laidley played another game in the reserves, and his 150th senior game cannot be too far away. David King, North's best player this season, will return from suspension. If McKernan's injury is better than expected it will be a bonus. I do not expect him to play again in 1997 - even though the club has stated otherwise. But there is no doubting McKernan's courage and threshold for pain. If he does return he will rely on these two qualities.