North Melbourne 0.3 5.11 8.17 12.17 (89) Footscray 1.1 5.3 7.5 10.9 (69)
Goals
North Melbourne Daniltchenko 5, Anderson, Scott, Freeborn, Carey, Sholl, Crocker, McKernan
Footscray Watts 3, Curley 2, Hargraves 2, Kolyniuk, Smith, Johnson
In a game that resulted in the interchange bench being used overtime due to ferocious tackling and contesting North was able
to hold off Footscray for a 20 point win. McKernan, starring in the first quarter with several big marks, left the ground after
a crude attempt to spoil by Grgic. Stevens had to leave the ground for the blood rule, and Footscray players such as
Osbourne and Darcy left after bone-crunching tackles by North players. Osbourne was not to return to the game, due to a
broken wrist. McKernan finally returned just before half-time, and his presence was urgently required at the time.
Footscray was determined not to allow North to dominate them as they did in their Round 2 encounter. Footscray would
have been disappointed with the poor crowd of 22,416 - since the basis of moving their home games to the MCG was to
attract larger crowds, at the cost of the team having not won at the MCG for about 12 games.
First Quarter
Footscray and North opened up with fierce intensity, however this was not translated into pretty football. It took 16 minutes
before a goal was scored in the match, and it was the only goal for the quarter. It was North's third goalless quarter for the
season (others against Brisbane and West Coast). Footscray probably should have been 2-3 goals in front, but North was
still disappointed in trailing by 4 points at the break.
Goal Sequence: F (16 minute mark)
Second Quarter
Wayne Schwass, who started on the bench, came onto the ground, but his disposal showed that he hadn't played a solid game
of football since last year. North had the ball in their forward line most of the second quarter, kicking 5.8 to 4.2, and their
inaccurate kicking was costly. Footscray kicked 3 goals in 3 minutes, with Kolyniuk having a hand in all three goals.
Kolyniuk had replaced Scott Wynd in the selected Footscray side. North had only 2 goals on the scoreboard at the 23 minute
mark of the second quarter, but managed 3 goals before half-time. This should have been at least 5 goals, as Roberts missed
a shot after the siren, and several easy shots at goal were missed.
Goal Sequence: N (5 min), N (8), F (10), F (11), F (12), N (23), F ( 25), N (26), N (28)
Third Quarter
Again, Footscray kicking to the main scoreboard end, this quarter was to be low scoring. North dominated this quarter,
kicking 3.6 to 2.2 and the game should have been all over. Poor kicking at goal cost North the chance to have the game all
wrapped up at the last break. Kicking the last 2 goals of the quarter gave North a 3 goal break. Mark Roberts did not have
an opponent this quarter, and took several marks in the transition from defence to attack.
Goal Sequence: N (3), F (9), F (21), N (24), N (27)
Fourth Quarter
North kicked the first goal of the quarter, and the game looked out of reach for Footscray. But to their credit they moved to
within 10 points of North by the 14 minute mark. Another Footscray goal would leave them only a straight kick behind.
North settled though, and kicked 2 goals in 2 minutes to seal the result. North won by 20 points, but perhaps the margin
should have been closer to 5-6 goals. However, the lacklustre game would leave North supporters just happy to come away
with the win.
Goal Sequence: N (5), F (8), N (9), F (11), F (14), N (22), N (24)
Best players for North included Daniltchenko with 5 goals, the only North player to kick more than one goal. He was also
the most accurate kick for the team, kicking no behinds. Carey was well held by Grant, and it was perhaps his poorest game
this season. McKernan, missing the best part of the second quarter was not his usual dominant self after returning, although
his presence in the ruck setup at least 3 goals. Crocker didn't continue his goal sneak form of the past 2 matches, and spent
time on the bench. Roberts, Stevens, Rock and King would be in the best players for North. Martyn also had several
possessions. The highlight of this otherwise boring game were Carey's mark in the second quarter, leaping high into the
pack, and Freeborn's goal from the boundary line.
Footscray had plenty of the ball, but their game plan resulted in often short passes. They didn't really go direct, and often
were caught holding the ball. North would surely be the toughest tackling team in the league at the moment. This has been a
facet of Pagan's presence. Every since North was out-muscled in 1993 by the Eagles, North has concentrated on bulking up -
the players doing weights in the off-season to not allow themselves to be physically intimidated.
North meets Sydney at Optus Oval next week. Sydney has troubled North in the past, and last season North could noto
contain players such as Lewis, Kelly and Lockett. This is a danger game, and North should be grateful that the state of origin
week off has not resulted in North losing their momentum this season. McKernan's injury appeared to be a mild concussion,
and he won't miss next week. McKernan has also signed a new contract (See news).