v's
Saturday, May 17 (OO)
v's
North Melbourne 7.0 10.5 15.11 19.14 (128) Port Adelaide 3.1 4.5 9.7 15.10 (100)
Goals
Nth Melb: Sholl 6, Kirzner 4, McKernan 2, Allison 2, Rock, Archer, Pike, Bell, Harvey
Port Adelaide: Bond 4, Lade 2, Brown 2, Poole 2, Primus, Rombotis, Wilson, Dickie, Kingsley
North Melbourne showed that it still has the form that won the team the 1996 Premiership - but only for the first half. But it was enough to win the game by 28 points, as well as unveiling a new player in Julian Kirzner. To Port's credit they managed to outscore North by 2 goals in the second half and continued to fight out the game.
North's midfield was superb - Anthony Stevens was again the best North player - with good support from Rock and Bell. Pike, Longmire and King provided the transition from half back to midfield. Schwass had his best game for the season (apart from his cameo forward role against Hawthorn). North found a more settled forward structure, with Sholl playing 30 metres from goal, and kicking 6 straight. Kirzner stepped into the team for the first time, and showed he has a strong mark, kicking 4.2. Mellington had an off day, spending most of the game on the bench, making Kirzner's perfomance all the more encouraging. Primus and McKernan had an even battle - Primus perhaps winning the ruck contests, but McKernan able to move forward to kick 2 goals. McKernan's banana kick from the boundary line was a highlight.
Archer spent the game in the forward line, in which he contested well. However the forward line seemed a bit crowded at times, with Sholl, Kirzner and Archer all flying for marks. Martyn continued his good form, and the goals kicked against him were a combination of bad luck and extremely poor umpiring. Longmire at centre half back was good for three quarters, but a heavy fall on his back had him noticeably sore in the last quarter.
North was too strong for Port, Stevens and Pike being the best players. The umpiring standard was the worst I have seen this season - the holding the ball rule becoming even more mystifying to the supporters. There was no consistancy in how they were paid - even by the same umpire, as well as between umpires. At one stage one umpire paid holding the ball against Port, but another paid too high against North. Andrew Coates and Bryan Sheehan should both be sent to the bush next week.
Port's best contributers were Primus Brown, Wanganeen and Bond. However they sturggled due to a lack of size and talent - they need more experience and direction with the football. There were enough good signs that Port may well challenge for the finals as soon as next season. North had a 9 goal lead 10 minutes in to the third quarter, but won by less than 5.
First Quarter Goals (including time elapsed):
2:00 N - Pike
4:40 N - Allison
6:40 P - Dickie
10:20 P - Brown
13:10 N - Harvey
14:20 N - Kirzner
17.10 P - Poole
20:20 N - Kirzner
23:10 N - Rock
26:00 N - Bell
Second Quarter Goals (including time elapsed):
5:00 P - Poole
10:30 N - Allison
15:40 N - Sholl
20:50 N - Sholl
Third Quarter Goals (including time elapsed):
2:40 N - McKernan
6:40 N - Kirzner
8:00 N - Sholl
12:20 P - Kingsley
17:00 P - Bond
19:30 P - Bond
21:00 P - Brown
22:00 N - Archer
24:10 N - Sholl
26:10 P - Bond
Fourth Quarter Goals (including time elapsed):
1:30 N - Sholl
4:20 P - ?? Wilson
6:30 N - McKernan
13:40 P - Poole
17:50 P - Lade
21:50 P - Bond
24:00 P - Lade
25:00 N - Sholl
28:10 P - Primus
20:00 N - Kirzner