North Melbourne 6.3 9.8 11.9 16.11 (107) Essendon 4.2 7.4 8.10 14.11 (95)
Goals
North Melbourne Archer 3, Carey 3, Anderson 2, Daniltchenko 2, Roberts 2, A Stevens, Freeborn, Crocker, McKernan
Essendon Cockatoo-Collins 4, Cummings 2, Mercuri 2, Wanganeen, Daniher, Bewick, Symons, Wallis, Cransberg
North turned around last week's thrashing to defeat Essendon. The match was played under heavy rain, and although it was a day match the MCG lights were turned on for the entire game. The rain kept away the anticipated 60,000 crowd; only 39,515 braved the cold, wet Melbourne day.
Considering the conditions, both teams played with a high level of skill. North knew a loss in this game would drop the team to seventh position, and a win was essential. Essendon opened the game with 2 goals, and it looked like North may still be suffering from last week. It took 16 minutes for North to register a goal, but the team slammed 5 goals in a row, and never relinquished the lead. Although the best margin North could register was 4 goals, Essendon moved to within 2 goals several occasions, especially in the last 10 minutes of the game. However Essendon could never manage to get any closer, and Glenn Archer provided a spark in the last quarter, setting up 3 match-winning goals.
First Quarter
Essendon opened with a Cummings mark and goal from 50 metres after 90 seconds. The signs were ominous for North -
perhaps the wet conditions did not suit their marking game. Daniher snapped a goal for Essendon at the 9 minute mark, and
North was still searching for its first goal. North turned this around brilliantly, in perhaps their best quarter of football this
season. Anderson, Daniltchenko and Freeborn all provided marking targets. All booted truly. In fact North's accuracy was
surprising, considering recent trends. North booted 5 goals in quick succession to take the lead. In hindsight this burst won
North the game. Although heavy rain was falling, 10 goals were scored between the teams in the quarter.
Goal Sequence: E (2 minute mark), E (9), N (16), N (18), N, (20), N (22), N (25), E (27), N (30), E (31)
Second Quarter
An even quarter, each team kicking 3 goals. The rapidity of goals was not the same as the previous quarter, underlying just
how well North was playing to kick so many goals in the atrocious conditions. Essendon had scored 2 goals in a row (last
goal of the first quarter & first of the second quarter), North then kicked 2 in succession, before teams alternated in kicking
goals. Both teams knew how valuable it would be if they could put together 3 or 4 goals in a row.
Goal Sequence: E (8), N (15), N (18), E (19), N (24), E (30)
Third Quarter
The pattern of alternating goals continued. This should not be viewed as a statistical quirk. Rather, it highlights just how
hard fought the game was. Neither team was giving in, and North could not shake off Essendon. Essendon had all the play
in the quarter, and poor kicking cost them badly. Despite dominating, Essendon kicked 1.6 to 2.1 - their four extra scoring
shots still leaving one point worse off for the quarter. Accuracy would have seen Essendon perhaps 1 goal ahead at the last
break.
Goal Sequence: N (3), E (10), N (15)
Fourth Quarter
17 points up at the last change, and since North had slammed those 5 goals in a row in the first quarter the margin had not
changed. North had scored the last goal of the third quarter, and if they could manage the first goal of the quarter it would
make Essendon's task difficult. Goals were at a premium - only 3 were kicked since half time.
At the 2 minute mark North goaled, and the game looked won. It took 10 minutes before Essendon replied, but North answered the goal within a minute. Then Essendon kicked 2 goals to move within 12 points of North. The next goal was vital. Another Essendon goal would probably give them the confidence to win the game. Glenn Archer, now up forward, marked and goaled. The game looked won again. Refusing to give in Essendon goaled again - again 12 points behind. It was another "vital next goal" situation. Again Archer marked and goaled, after McKernan's win at the centre bounce. 3 minutes later Archer had the ball again, and launched a 60 metre torpedo punt at the open goal. The ball cleared the pack, and a lunging Carey marked the ball in the goal square. The kick may well have gone through for a goal anyway. Carey slammed his 3 goal home, and North was 4 goals up, 25 minutes into the last quarter. But, Essendon managed 2 quick goals, and again were 12 points behind. The quarter went another 3 minutes without either side scoring - it was perhaps the most tense 3 minutes of our season. The quarter went for an amazing 31 minutes (the first went 33 minutes).
Goal Sequence: N (2), E (10), N (11), E (15), E (17), N (19), E (22), N (23), N (25), E (26), E (28)
The game was very close all day. North managed to never let Essendon get to within a goal, and this was probably the most decisive factor. No player really dominated the close game. North was able to answer everytime Essendon goaled, showing an incredible amount of fight. A lucky break for North was Bewick's injury early in the game, where he missed most of the remainder of the game.
In the end it was Glenn Archer who won the match. His last quarter marking was truly inspirational. I doubt if there is a player in the AFL with greater courage or endeavour for the ball as Archer. Carey put in a good performance with 3 goals. David King was perhaps the best man afield; his bursts out of the backline and attacking style of defence was extremely effective. Crocker and Stevens had good games, and Blakey held Hird well. Overall it was an even team performance - which is exactly what the coach wants to see.
North managed to rise to the challenge, and it was a fantastic performance to win the game. Against teams in the eight North has won 3 and lost 3. Geelong, Essendon and Richmond were all great performances for North. Brisbane, Sydney, West Coast were all complete shockers. If North wants to take that "next step" forward they must continue to beat the lower teams, and also win more games against prospective finalists. The real challenge will be the Carlton match in a few weeks. It could even be the Grand Final preview.
Interestingly, the pattern of North's performance against teams in the eight reveals North's 3 wins were all at the MCG, and their losses all "away" - at the Gabba, Subiaco and Optus Oval.
North retained second position on the AFL Ladder but still has 4 teams behind in striking distance. With the Carlton v Sydney game next week the only game between teams in the eight next week, North must still keep winning to prevent falling to sixth. A North and Sydney win could possibly see North take top position.
No reports were made in the game, although trial by video may review a few incidents. Craig Sholl was injured and will miss 1-2 weeks with a strained medial ligament.