North Melbourne 4.5 9.7 15.12 21.18 (144) Carlton 4.2 7.4 8.8 13.11 (89)
Goals
North Melbourne Archer 3, Carey 3, Rock 3, Freeborn 2, Roberts 2, Bell 2, Anderson, A Stevens, Blakey, Daniltchenko,
McKernan, Lissendon
Carlton Kernahan 3, Bradley 2, Silvagni 2, M Sexton, Brown, Rice, B Sexton, Madden, Williams
First Quarter
A crowd of 68,537 was present for the battle for top spot. May had predicted this game could be the grand final preview. Lissendon came into the team for his first game, replacing the injured Crocker. There was no hint of the rain that had been forecast, however both teams still left their second ruckman, in Allan and Capuano in the reserves. The teams lined up with Carey at centre-half-back, and Archer in the forward line. Martyn was on Kernahan, Stevens on Bradley and Blakey on Koutoufides. Madden and McKernan lined up at the opening bounce.
The game opened up with Kernahan goaling before North replied. Then Carlton slammed through 3 successive goals to shoot to a 20 point lead. The signs were ominous; Brown was doing very well for Carlton, and Kernahan looked to have Martyn's measure. Carlton was by no means dominating though, they had simply made more of their opportunities up forward, kicking several "lucky" goals. North settled and slammed through 3 goals in four minutes to take the lead at quarter time. North had done extremely well not to let the game slip early, and to take the lead was a bonus.
Goal Sequence: C (4 minute mark), N (8), C (9), C (15), C (20), N (22), N (25), N (26)
Second Quarter
Carlton goaled within the first minute to regain the lead. Carey was still at centre-half-back. North, in an inspired spell then kicked 4 unanswered goals. Archer was superb in the forward line, outmarking his opponents, and proving more mobile at ground level. McKernan's dominance over Madden forced Parkin to move Madden to the bench, and Kotoufides to the ruck. This was perhaps North's best tactic to diminish Kouta's influence. Carey was eventually moved back to the forward line. North took a well deserved 15 point lead into the long break. It was not a large lead, but was reflective of how the game was being played.
Goal Sequence: C (1), N (2), N (5), N (8), N (10), C (12), N (14), C (18)
Third Quarter
Schwass was scintillating, in his best game since his comeback. He frequently sidestepped and baulked his opponents, a la
Michael Long. Carey started to exert his influence in the forward line, and McKernan was just superb. Carlton had no
answer to his efforts at the centre-bounce. McKernan was skillfully palming the ball down to the North rovers by
outjumping his opponents. North shot to a 5 goal lead early in the quarter, and extended this to 7 goals by three quarter
time. North was absolutely suberb in this quarter, and the pressure placed on the highly regarded Carlton backline started
to show. Several basic errors were committed by the Carlton players; such as not rushing the ball for a behind in the
goalsquare, to deliberate out of bounds. It was North's best quarter of football this year, and the game was already
decided. Carlton must have been wishing that it had Allan in the team to attempt to stop McKernan's dominance. Six goals
to one against the reigning premiers was fantastic.
Goal Sequence: N (5), N (8), N (10), C (14), N (16), N (22), N (26)
Fourth Quarter
Carlton got the benefit of a few dubious free kicks, Madden goaled after a centre-square infringement and 50 metre penalty, Williams goaled after a behind the play incident (no suprise that Williams was involved). Silvagni was sent to the forward line and kicked 2 goals, but it was all too late. Kernahan played further up the ground, and was perhaps Carlton's best player, along with Bradley. North had destroyed Carlton, and reinforced its position on top, moving a game clear of Carlton. North also improved its percentage over Carlton by 9%. Rock goaled after the siren, adding to Carlton's woes.
Goal Sequence: N (2), N (6), C (8), N (9), N (10), C (14), C (20), N (24), C (25), C (29), N (30)
North was absolutely superb. McKernan was sensational in the ruck, outclassing Madden and Koutoufides. Blakey completely shut out Koutoufides, and the entire North backline shut down the ineffective Carlton forward line. Kernahan was good early, but Martyn finished well. Fairley took Carey's place in the backline, and along with King and Laidley were excellent. Schwass was back to his best (apart from a few errant kicks). Archer and Carey provided targets up forward. Lissendon, in his first game showed some good signs at full forward - leading well and kicking one goal. Rock (3 goals) and Stevens (1 goal) were also fantastic. North won every quarter, an important statistic.
North meets Collingwood next week. Collingwood have been extremely poor in recent weeks, and North should not drop its guard in Saturday's game. Carlton's losses in the last 2 weeks have forced them to third place, as the Sydney v Geelong winner will take second place.