North Melbourne 7.3 13.9 20.12 28.15 (183) Melbourne 4.2 6.3 7.3 11.4 (70)
Goals
North Melbourne Carey 11, McKernan 5, Bell 4, M Stevens 3, Rock 2, Sholl 2, Capuano 1
Melbourne Farmer 3, Stynes 2, O'Brien 2, Hopgood 1, Ingerson 1, Leoncelli 1, Tingay 1
Wayne Carey put on a display that words can hardly describe. Carey took 15 marks, kicked 11.2 (the two points were both posters) and almost outscored the entire Melbourne team. Carey had Smith, then Neitz as opponents, but was frequently double or triple teamed, only to still win the contest. It ranks perhaps as one of the most dominant individual efforts in the 100 years of the VFL/AFL. But to say this would be unfair to Carey's teammates. Not a single Melbourne player beat his opponent, and North kicked at least 6 goals in every quarter. McKernan also starred, kicking 5 goals, including one magnificant run, bounce and goal from 55 metres. It was a pity that only 20,955 fans saw the Carey exhibition. The game was not covered on Channel 7 because of the Olympic Games. If you have Optus Vision be sure to watch the replay - Carey was on fire all night.
The Melbourne side did not have a single good player on the night. The future of the Melbourne Football Club looks gloomy - after Fitzroy disappears next year Melbourne may well be the AFL's next wooden-spooner. The issue of a Melbourne-Hawthorn merger was highlighted by the absence of a banner for the team. Apparently Melbourne officials had banned the cheer-squad from displaying the banner. Later in the game the cheer-squad raised the banner in the Southern Stand, before ground security and policemen forced them to remove the message. It read, "We were threatened, we were told: no talk of mergers, with the brown and gold".
Late in the game Matthew Armstrong left the field with what looked to be a hamstring strain, but at this stage no reports are available on the injury.
First Quarter
For a change the ground was dry, and in perfect condition. Roberts, as expected was replaced by Capuano. Gorman came into the side for Freeborn. North started with Capuano in the ruck, and both McKernan and Carey up forward. It took less than a minute for McKernan to goal. Tingay replied a minute later. A ridiculous free kick downfield handed Melbourne the lead, but it was the last time they would be in front. North kicked 6 goals, Carey three of them, forcing Balme to move Neitz on to Carey and Smith to full-forward. Melbourne kicked 2 late goals, to flatter themselves on the scoreboard. North played far better, and deserved a 5 goal lead, but 19 points was the margin.
Goal Sequence:
1 minute: NM - McKernan
2 minutes: M - Tingay
3 minutes: M - O'Brien (free kick down-field)
5 minutes: NM - Bell
6 minutes: NM - Carey
7 minutes: NM - Bell
12 minutes: NM - Carey
14 minutes: NM - Carey
16 minutes: NM - McKernan
26 minutes: M - Leoncelli
29 minutes: M - Ingerson
Second Quarter
North blitzed the hapless Demons, 6 goals to 1. The game was well over at half time. Carey kicked another 3. Perhaps the only blemish on Carey's game was hitting the post twice, his only 2 missed of the night. Capuano was playing well in the ruck, dropping in to the backline. Glenn Archer and Mick Martyn must have been bored (and cold) in the backline.
Goal Sequence:
1 minute: NM - Sholl
3 minutes: NM - Carey
5 minutes: NM - Rock
6 minutes: M - O'Brien
24 minutes: NM - Carey
26 minutes: NM - Carey
28 minutes: M - Stynes
28 minutes: NM - Bell
Third Quarter
Carey had 6 goals already, and was marking everything. A one-handed mark against the wrestling Neitz was brilliant. He kicked another 4 goals. McKernan kicked a sensational 55 metre goal on the run. McKernan has size, agility and speed - a deadly combination for the modern footballer.
Goal Sequence:
2 minutes: NM - Sholl
4 minutes: NM - McKernan
5 minutes: M - Farmer
12 minutes: NM - Carey
14 minutes: NM - Carey
18 minutes: NM - Carey
24 minutes: NM - Carey
26 minutes: NM - M Stevens
Fourth Quarter
Eight goals to four. North continued on their merry way, having won every quarter. It was a good finish to a great team performance, and along with last week's big win has considerably improved North's percentage. Rock's goal was a classic. North won the centre-bounce, the ball punched to Carey at centre half forward. Carey gave a handpass to the running Rock who goaled from outside 50 metres. It took about 5 seconds, and two disposals. Contrasted to the Melbourne game of short passing, and handballing backwards it helped to explain the scoreline. Melbourne - too small to play the long kicking game and not skillful enough to exploit the short, accurate passing game was sadly out of their depth playing North, who are firming up as Premiership contenders. With Carey and McKernan in the form they are in, plus Anthony Stevens 30 possessions, and and improved Capuano performance things could not be better at Arden St.
Goal Sequence:
3 minutes: NM - M Stevens
7 minutes: NM - McKernan
9 minutes: M - Stynes
13 minutes: NM - Capuano
16 minutes: NM - M Stevens
18 minutes : M - Farmer
20 minutes: N - Carey
21 minutes: M - Hopgood
22 minutes: N - Bell
23 minutes: N - Rock
28 minutes: N - McKernan
29 minutes: M - Farmer
Melbourne will have to merger to be competitive. The game just showed the huge difference between the top sides of the AFL and the bottom sides. Personally, I cannot remember the gap between the strong and weak ever being so large. North won every contest. Stevens was excellent, as well as Rock and Schwass. Bell chimed (sorry I couldn't help it) in with 4 goals. Capuano showed he may well be able to hold his position in the team. If he can take the first ruck, McKernan's brilliance can extend further forward. However with Carey, Crocker, Mark Stevens and the possible return of John Longmire (unlikely, but rumoured to be ready, if not match fit, for the finals) North has no shortage of forward firepower. Perhaps the biggest weakness of the North side is centre-half-back. If North can develop or trade for a key defender it would allow Carey to stay up forward, and also give the defence some added height.
Wayne Carey has kicked 61 goals this season. All the North goal kickers are listed here. North is also the highest scoring team in the AFL. These stats are here.
Next week North meets Hawthorn, the nemesis for 10 years, before North broke the losing sequence a few years ago. North won by 73 points earlier in the year.