North Melbourne 4.5 8.6 15.10 19.16 (130) Hawthorn 5.2 9.4 12.6 15.9 (99)
Goals
North Melbourne Carey 7, McKernan 3, Archer 3, Bell 2, Allison 2, Capuano 1, Scott 1
Hawthorn Dunstall 4, Chick 3, Condon 2, Hudson 2, Salmon, Crawford, Woods, Graham
As expected, Matthew Capuano replaced Mark Roberts in the selected side. Capuano started in first ruck, an McKernan, Arhcer and Carey all in the forward line. Dunstall did take the field for Hawthorn, kicking 4 goals before half time. North was 4 points down at half time, but a 7 goal third quarter set up the win, after North looked lacklustre in the first half. 28,555 saw a close fought game, until Carey lead the Roos to victory.
First Quarter
North began with a tall forward line. Bell and Allison were on the bench, and McKernan, Archer and Carey started well, although did not make the most of their opportunities. North had a stanglehold on the match for the first 10 minutes, but did not convert. Hawthorn in fact kicked the first goal and took a 3 point into the break. At one stage Hawthorn slammed 3 goals in a row, moving to a 2 goal lead. Dunstall kicked 2 for the quarter, and Carey was goalless (kicked 2 points, and one on the full at the time). North was disappointing, as inaccurate kicking probably cost the lead. Langford was playing very tightly on Carey.
Goal Sequence:
3 minute: H - Condon
11 minutes: NM - Archer
12 minutes: NM - McKernan
14 minutes: H - Dunstall
15 minutes: H - Chick
22 minutes: H - Graham
23 minutes: NM - Archer
27 minutes: H - Dunstall
28 minutes: NM - Bell
Second Quarter
20 seconds into the quarter and Bell goaled for North. Hawthorn did not let this affect them, kicking the next 3 goals, and moving to a 15 point lead. (I admit I was starting to worry about an avalanche of Hawthorn goals, similar to what Sydney did to North.) Robert Scott goaled, cutting the lead down, and then North wrestled the lead back again, with Carey finally kicking straight. Dunstall kicked a goal just before half time for Hawthorn to retake the lead again. The lead had changed several times in the game, and Hawthorn's determination made up for their inferior talent. Dunstall had 4 goals, and was not showing any ill effects of a knee injury. Bell and Allison were moved to North's forward line, to try and provide some variety, helping to create more space for Carey. North was not dominating the game as expected, and would have been unhappy with their performance. The value of Scott's goal cannot be understated - it stated the North comeback, just when Hawthorn threatened to run away with the lead.
Goal Sequence:
1 minute: NM - Bell
5 minutes: H - Condon
8 minutes: H - Hudson
9 minutes: H - Dunstall
13 minutes: NM - Scott
20 minutes: NM - Carey
24 minutes: NM - Carey
27 minutes: H - Dunstall
Third Quarter
Carey got the better of Langford, kicking 3 goals. North's half back line took control of the game, and Hawthorn struggled to get past King, Fairley, Schwass and Laidley. They started many forward thrusts. McKernan's run, bounce and goal from outside 50 metres brought the Southern Stand to its feet. It was similar to his goal last week. Again, no TV replay (due to the Olympics) deprived the football public from this highlight. Carey was brilliant; he had only 7 disposals in the first half, but exploded into action with 19 disposals and 5 goals in the second half. McKernan kicked 2 goals, as North rose to the challenge in the "premiership" quarter. Allison missed 2 easy shots at goal, but did kick his first goal since Round 5.
Goal Sequence:
1 minute: H - Hudson
3 minutes: NM - Capuano
5 minutes: NM - Carey
7 minutes: NM - McKernan
11 minutes: H - Chick
15 minutes: H - Salmon
19 minutes: NM - Allison
23 minutes: NM - Carey
25 minutes: NM - Carey
28 minutes: NM - McKernan
Fourth Quarter
With a 22 point lead, North did not allow Hawthorn back into the game. Carey kicked 2 more goals, taking his tally to 7.5 for the night. Dunstall was again held goalless, his 4 goals came in the first half. Every Hawthorn goal was quickly followed by a North answer, and although it was a tight match for the first half North would be happy to come away with the 4 points to keep the side on top of the AFL Ladder.
Goal Sequence:
3 minutes: H - Crawford
7 minutes: NM - Allison
16 minutes: H - Chick
17 minutes: NM - Carey
21 minutes: NM - Carey
24 minutes : H - Woods
25 minutes: NM - Allison
Injuries: Laidley copped a knee to the head and left the field slightly dazed. Everyone saw this, except the umpires. Crocker also copped a knee to the back just on the half time siren, and was helped off the field by 2 trainers. Laidley did return, but Crocker's injury kept him out of the game.
Umpiring: Umpires Goldspink, Howlett and Vernon, although experienced umpires, were pathetic. The bouncing of the ball was appalling, and did not provide 50-50 contests for the ruckmen. In fact, quite often the ball skewed off at such an angle that neither ruckmen could get to the fall of the ball. Often the ball when straight to the rover or centreman. This is unacceptable for senior umpires. The umpiring decisions were also mystifying. Often free kicks were paid to both sides for seemingly trivial events. The interpretation of the advantage rule was inconsistant, and several high tackles were missed. Several "in the back" decisions were inconsistant. Allison had a mark disallowed due to a push, only for the ball to move the length of the field to Dunstall, who clearly pushed his opponent out. The mark was allowed. Decisions also went against Hawthorn, and the frustrations of supporters from both teams cannot be understated. I expected better from experienced AFL umpires, and it was the second worst umpiring performance I have seen. (The worst was the North v Sydney match - One umpire in particular seemed very reluctant in that game to pay a free kick to North).
Wayne Carey has kicked 68 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.