North Melbourne 2.4 3.5 6.8 8.11 (59) Brisbane 2.2 5.5 7.7 11.11 (77)
Goals
North Melbourne Carey 3, Archer 2, McKernan, Sholl, Armstrong
Brisbane Leppitsch 4, White 2, Hart, Ashcroft, McIvor, Fletcher, McAdam
In trying conditions due to an unpredictable wind Brisbane defeated North Melbourne for the second time this season. The match was played at Optus Oval, where Sydney thrashed North earlier in the year. In both outings to the ground North has lost.
North failed to take full advantage of a strong wind at the Lygon St end of the ground in the first quarter. A 2 point at quarter time was not good enough in hindsight. Carey kicked both North's goals for the quarter.
After Sholl goaled in the first minute of the second quarter Brisbane kicked three goals to none. This period probably cost North the game. The difficulty in scoring was highlighted by the low scores at half-time.
North really needed a big effort in the third quarter, and at least a 2 goal lead to have a chance to win. Carey goaled after a minute, then there no goals for the next 11 minutes. There were also no free-kicks awarded for 50 minutes! (apart from on the full). The boundary umpire at the Robert Heatley Stand end was totally inept - I have never seen a worse performance from a boundary umpire. He made at least 4 mistakes - including one obvious on the full that angered Mark Roberts and just about everyone else at the ground. (If I ever find out his name I will personally write to the AFL to complain - email me if you know it.) Field Umpire Greg Scroop was also very poor.
Pagan switched Archer to attack, and he kicked 2 goals in a minute, and North had the lead. However Brisbane kicked the last two goals of the quarter, which left North behind at the last break - facing an almost impossible task of outscoring the Bears against the wind.
After McKernan kicked a goal North looked to have a chance of winning. However Leppitsch kicked the next 3 goals to bury North. Armstrong kicked a late goal, but it was too late.
In the conditions North struggled. The long kicking game dod tht dork on the day, and Brisbane's defence held the North attack well. If not for the efforts of the North backline the margin would have been greater. Pagan's decision to start Carey as a loose man in defense in the final quarter seemed very defensive. North started without a player in the forward line, and the ball was kicked to a Brisbane player on at least 2 occassions, as not a North player was up forward.
It was a disappointing outcome, and the wind really unsettled the North gameplan. No excuses - Brisbane was better on the day, and the 3 goal margin was probably indicative of the game. However I doubt if North would have lost if the game was at the MCG.