North Melbourne 3.6 8.11 9.12 14.12 (96) Geelong 4.2 10.5 11.9 14.13 (97)
Goals
Nth Melb: Carey 4, Sholl 2, Daniltchenko 2,
Anderson, Scott, Chandler, Roberts, Bell, McKernan
Geelong: Hall 2, Steinfort 2, Biddiscombe 2,
Colbert, Robbins, Barnes, Couch, Burns, Roberts, Handley,
Riccardi
Continuing the tradition of close games between the sides, Geelong eliminated North Melbourne from the 1997 Ansett Cup with a thrilling 1 point win. Paul Couch kicked a point from 40 metres to give Geelong the lead with less than 30 seconds to play. This was after North Melbourne stormed home with 3 goals in 3 minutes to snatch a 7 point lead. It was a tremendous final quarter, and, in a way, a good result for both teams.
Geelong moves on to the Grand Final, which will be played at the MCG. Geelong has lost 3 day Grand Finals in recent times at the MCG, and will be looking to dispel rumours that the club cannot perform in big matches. For North, it allows the team full preparation for the season opener on Thursday March 27, under lights at the MCG. Had North been playing in the Grand Final, it would give the club less than a week's preparation for the real footy.
North Melbourne and Geelong traded goals for much of the first half, neither side being able to break away. Geelong finished better, with North missing several easy shots at goal. Inaccurate kicking saw North trail at quarter and half time. The third quarter resulted in only a single goal for each team. The crowd had almost fallen asleep, and seemed more interested in the Australia v South Africa cricket scores.
It took an explosive last quarter for the match to come alive - North scoring the first 2 goals, threatening to take over the game. But Geelong hit back with 2 goals, and with almost 22 minutes gone, seemed home. A Chandler goal for North, followed by Roberts snap from a pack gave North a 1 point lead. North won the next centre break, and Carey, inexplicably left free, ran into an open goal. North now had a 7 point lead, to the shock of the Geelong fans.
However, Hocking, best on ground, inspired the Cats to an immediate answer, which lead to Robbins goaling. Geelong quickly won the next centre break, and managed to score a lucky behind to level the scores. A wayward kick from defence led to a Paul Couch mark 40 metres from goal. A behind was enough to give the Cats the win. North could not move the ball from full back, as every player on the ground was now crowding the zone. This tactic allowed Geelong to hold on for a 1 point win - and give them a chance for another Grand Final.
The positives for North were that no further injuries were sustained. It was the club's first loss since round 21 - ironically also against Geelong. North, with only a list of 37 players to pick from (Mooney, Groom, Capuano all with knee reconstructions, and Schwass suspended) cannot afford any more injuries.
Geelong has a chance to finally win some form of Grand Final - but pre-season form rarely predicts a side's true Premiership chances. St Kilda failed to make the eight after winning the Ansett Cup last year, and North had a "hangover" from the 1995 Ansett Cup win.
First Quarter Goals (including time elapsed):
1:40 G - Burns
3:40 N - McKernan
14:00 N - Daniltchenko
19:40 G - Hall
22:20 N - Carey
24:10 G - Handley
28:10 G - Biddiscombe
Second Quarter Goals (including time elapsed):
0:20 G - Biddiscombe
3:50 G - Steinfort
12:00 N - Sholl
12:50 N - Bell
14:30 G - Steinfort
17:10 G - Hall
18:20 N - Carey
21:00 N - Anderson
22:30 G - Couch
28:30 G - C. Roberts
31:00 N - Scott
Third Quarter Goals (including time elapsed):
2:00 N - Carey
12:00 G - Colbert
Fourth Quarter Goals (including time elapsed):
6:00 N - Daniltchenko
8:00 N - Sholl
10:40 G - Barnes
16:10 G - Riccardi
21:50 N - Chandler
23:30 N - M. Roberts
24:20 N - Carey
25:20 G - Robbins