d 
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North Melbourne 6.5 8.10 14.14 19.17 (131) Geelong 2.2 5.6 6.9 9.17 (71)
Goals
North Melbourne Allison 7, Carey 3, Scott 2, Schwass, Rock, Anderson, Roberts, Sholl, McKernan, Simpson
Geelong Barnes 2, Hocking 2, Colbert, Ablett, Burns, Tanner, Hall
Exactly one week ago North Melbourne played magnificently in front a crowd of 61,000. Today was a continuation of that form. 67,000 people witnessed the team now considered the Premiership favourite destroy Geelong. In contrast to last week's glorious sunshine, today's game was played in slippery and wet conditions - and under lights for the second half.
North Melbourne began the game in total dominance, skipping away to an early 4 goal break, which it never relinquished. Geelong staged a mini comeback in the second quarter, moving within 21 points of North at half time. After the break North slammed on the first four goals, ending any chance of a Geelong win. Brett Allison, who missed 12 games this season due to injury, kicked 7 goals, and was the suprise "star" of the North Melbourne forward line. McKernan was simply awesome - he took 7 marks in the first quarter, and totally dominated the game. Martyn kept Ablett to just a single goal, which was from a dubious free kick.
North eliminated Geelong, exacting revenge for the 1994 Preliminary Final. A sour note for the Roos was a hamstring injury to Stuart Anderson. The week's rest will allow him every chance of recovery.
First Quarter
McKernan and Barnes lined up at first ruck. North was tipped to start with a tall forward line, but left Roberts and Capuano on the bench. Allison, Carey and Sholl were given plenty of open space up forward. Archer lined up in defence on Colbert, Stevens tagged Couch, Blakey tagged Hocking and Scott tagged Riccardi.
McKernan started the game on fire. He was absolutely awesome - taking 7 marks for the quarter, helping North to win jkust about every centre bounce, and had Barnes taken off the ground after 10 minutes. He was everywhere - marking everything, and setting up the North forward thrusts. Allison kicked the opening goal for North which was followed by a Tanner goal. Last time these two teams met North dominated the play, but kicked inaccurately. This time North was much better, and had a 27 point lead at the break. Geelong had hardly crossed their 50 metre zone, and it had all the makings of a massacre. Carey's first goal, and the third of the game, was from 55 metres out, and brought the crowd to their feet.
Ablett's only goal was from a doubtful free-kick. In any case, Barnes had marked the ball, and Geelong was always going to kick that goal. Martyn held Ablett goalless for the rest of the match.
Goals:
N - Allison (2 minutes)
G - Tanner (5)
N - Carey (6)
N - Sholl (13)
N - Scott (16)
G - Ablett (24)
N - McKernan (26)
N - Anderson (29)
Second Quarter
Geelong had the ball in their forward line for much of the first 5 minutes. Eventually Barnes goaled, but this was answered by two goals by Allison within a minute. Allison was staying at ground level, picking up the crumbs from the taller North players. His pace and accelation was troubling Geelong. The final 20 minutes of the quarter were goalless for North. Geelong managed to lift, and get the ball out of the centre. Pagan used the tactic of crowding the Geelong backline. At one stage just about every player on the ground was in Geelong's forward line. This managed to stop any comeback, although Hocking did kick 2 goals to "win" the quarter for the Cats.
Geelong had moved to withing striking distance, clawing their way back from a five goal deficit. Still, North was the dominant team, but the late goals to Hocking would have given the Cats more confidence at the long break.
Goals:
G - Barnes (6)
N - Allison (9)
N - Allison (10)
G - Hocking (24)
G - Hocking (30)
Third Quarter
The game was their for the taking. Geelong was close enough to get back in the game, but North was the team that responded to the challenge. North kicked the first four goals, and the match was decided. A six goal to one quarter was set up by Allison's three goals, and total dominance by every North player. During the quarter the lights were switched on, and heavy rain began to fall. The wet conditions made any possibility of a Geelong comeback impossible.
Goals:
N - Allison (7)
N - Carey (18)
N - Allison (15)
N - Roberts (16)
G - Hall (18)
N - Allison (20)
N - Scott (27)
Fourth Quarter
With the result decided North powered away. Brilliant goals were matched by Geelong's mistakes. At one stage the ball headed towards two Geelong defenders, who left the ball for each other. Simpson couldn't beleive his luck, and snapped a goal. Other contenders for goal of the day were Allison's soccer-style kick from near the behind post, and Rock's unbelievable snap from about the same spot.
North had too many good players on the day. McKernan would have been best on field, while Allison's seven goals were a carreer best. Carey, although restricted to 3 goals, broke even with McGrath. Carey was still one of the highest possession winners for North. Hocking and Couch had over 20 possessions each, but none were really damaging as Geelong had no targets up forward. Ablett was dreadful; he gave away several 50 metre penalties, kicked 1.3, his only goal from a free kick. In the last quarter Geelong coach Gary Ayres moved Ablett to the wing, where he had little influence on the game.
Ablett turns 35 in the next week, and may well have played his last match. He was fined $10,000 and threatened with non-selection for late attendance at training, was recently caught speeding again while driving unlicensed, and been in poor form for his last few games. He was very undisciplined during the game, and I would not be suprised if Ayres looks to sack Ablett.
North's backline looked very settled and cohesive. Fairley, Laidley, Schwass, King and Archer functioned well as a unit. Martyn played well on Ablett, and didn't give away one yard to Ablett.
For North, the positives out of the match were the form of McKernan and Allison. The North on-ballers were excellent in the first quarter, getting the ball out every time. North has not won more than 3 games in a row all season. It has won the past two, and needs another 2 wins to win the premiership.
The negatives were the injury to Stuart Anderson. Not much else went wrong for North.
The team earns the week off, and proceed to Week 3. They play the winner of Brisbane v Carlton.