North Melbourne 5.4 6.12 10.15 15.19 (109) St Kilda 3.4 5.8 11.10 12.13 (85)
Goals
North Melbourne Bell 4, Carey 2, Roberts 2, Sholl 2, Rock 2, Allison, Archer, A Stevens
St Kilda Loewe 4, Traianidis 2, Daniels, Brown, Winmar, Vidovic, Anderson, Bardsley
North had an early bit of luck when Everitt did not take the field. However this was shortlived, when Wayne Schwass left
the field within the first 60 seconds of the match with a fractured forearm. Schwass had surgery later, and is set to miss at
least 10 weeks. Ian Fairley also left the field in the first quarter, not to return. His injury was a dislocated patella, and he
should be fit for next week.
This left North without two of its best defenders. The first quarter saw North hit the post three times, and was unlucky not to
be further ahead. North took a 2 goal lead into the first break. The standard of football was free flowing and the match
looked to be a high scoring affair.
In the second quarter North wasted several chances, kicking one goal and eight behinds. Wayne Carey kicked poorly at goal,
but otherwise was playing fairly well. Loewe was being held well by Martyn, aided by several punches from Smith. After
half time St Kilda shot to the lead by 15 points, after a burst of exciting football. Their running with the ball and centre
clearances in this spell was a powerful sight. North looked too slow, and the young, fast St Kilda players made the most of
the wide open spaces at Waverley. St Kilda was very good at creating the loose man, and exploited this tactic effectively.
North was behind at the last change, but the move of Sholl to the forward line, and Mark Roberts opportune goals helped
North wrestle back the lead. By about the 10 minute mark the game looked to be over, as a forward line inspired by Peter
Bell skipped to a 19 point lead. However St Kilda kicked the next goal, to trail by only 13. Within a minute Stuart Loewe
was having a shot 40 metres out from goal. A straight kick would bring the difference to only 7 points. However the kick fell
short and North moved the ball to the other end of the ground in under 20 seconds, and Carey kicked the sealer.
Best players for North include McKernan with 16 kicks, 10 marks and 5 handballs, Anthony Stevens with 21 kicks and 12
handballs. Peter Bell showed real promise as a forward pocket, kicking 4 goals and having 22 disposals. The defence was
soild though missing two experienced members. North did well to hold Winmar, Harvey and Burke to having average
games, and not too much influence on the game.
Matthew Capuano didn't really have a good game, nor did Carey after half time, obviously lacking match fitness. North
needs both these players firing to be at its best. We are now missing Longmire, Groom and Schwass for the future, and the
club's depth will really be challenged this season.