North Melbourne 4.2 8.5 9.9 10.16 (76) Adelaide 5.1 6.5 10.7 10.10 (70)
Goals
North Melbourne Archer 2, King 2, Bell 2, Rock, Carey, Sholl, Daniltchenko
Adelaide D Jarman 2, Robran 2, Modra 2, McLeod 2, A Jarman, Liptak
North Melbourne held off the Crows in a match played under heavy rain, to register the team's first win at Football Park. There were hail-stones on the ground when the match started, and goals were likely to be difficult to score. Instead, the opposite occurred, and 9 goals were scored in the first quarter. There were only 11 goals scored in the remaining three quarters. North scored the only goal of the final quarter, which was just enough to win the game. Souring the win was the report of Carey for allegedly striking Jason McCartney while trying to shepherd a teammate, in the second quarter. Carey appeared to raise his arm, but whether contact was actually made will be the decision of the tribunal. In the third quarter Glenn Archer left the field with what appeared to be a thigh injury (no details on whether it was a corked thigh or hamstring strain).
First Quarter
In front of 33,030 hostile fans at Football Park, the game began with North lining its big guns up forward. Capuano was in first ruck, and Carey, Archer and McKernan all in the forward line. It took one minute before McLeod set up a goal for Modra. Less than a minute later Archer replied for North, gathering a loose ball in the forward pocket. McLeod kicked a goal almost immediately after, before Bell goaled for North. 4 goals in under 5 minutes showed the frenetic pace of the game, and the skill of the players considering the conditions. One of the most hated footballers in the AFL, Andrew Jarman kicked a goal to give the Crows the lead. Archer and Sholl both goaled to wrestle the lead back for North. Late in the quarter Robran and Modra goaled, giving the Crows a quarter time lead. Modra's goal was a result of a big mark over Martyn in the goal square (of course Modra was playing from behind). It was to be Modra's last goal of the game; credit most go to Martyn for tightening up on Modra.
Goals: Modra (1 minute), Archer (2), McLeod (3), Bell (5), A Jarman (8), Archer (13), Sholl (14), Robran (20), Modra (22)
Second Quarter
Pagan was very disappointed with North's first quarter performance. Despite being behind by only a goal North did not appear settled and Carey and McKernan had little effect on the scoreboard. Adelaide had frequently broken loose and run through the midfield, and North's tackling could have been tighter. Daniltchenko came on the ground, kicking a goal too give the lead back to the Roos. Rock, one of North's best players for the night, kicked a goal before Robran goaled again for Adelaide. The scores were almost level, before David King, playing from at halfback drifted forward to goal on the run twice in a minute. It was inspirational play - King bursting through with his pace and characteristic bustling style to give the team a handy 2 goal lead into the main break.
Goals: Daniltchenko (9), Rock (11), Robran (17), King (25), King (27)
Third Quarter
North could take control of the game if it could score an early goal or two. However Jarman emulated King's efforts, kicking 2 goals on the run in 3 minutes, before McLeod and Pittmann both goaled, giving the Crows a 2 goal lead. Bell, voted best on ground by the Channel 7 commentators, kicked a good snap goal from between the behind and goal post, to move North within a goal at the last break. Bell's goal was badly needed - a three goal lead in the conditions would have just about been a match winning lead. The was further highlighted by the fact that only 1 goal was scored in the last quarter. The umpires denied North 2 obvious free kicks in the forward line - Bryan Sheehan made a terrible non-decision by not giving Archer a free kick when he was obviously held without the ball. This umpiring mistake was disgraceful - the TV commentators also could not believe that Archer was not awarded a freekick.
Goals: D Jarman (7), D Jarman (10), McLeod (12), Pittmann (18), Bell (21)
Fourth Quarter
With a 4 point lead North had several chances to sew the match up. Carey missed an early goal, before goaling at the 4 minute mark, after marking 35 metres directly in front of goal. Rock, Schwass and Allison all missed shots at goal, which would have guaranteed a win. Instead, for the next 20 minutes both sides kicked only behinds, and not a goal was scored. Even with a minute to go Adelaide had a chance to win. Adelaide had the ball in attack, only 5 points down, but North managed to clear the ball, before Simpson kicked a point which ensured only a North win or draw was possible. The siren finally went with the ball on the wing.
Highlights of the game included Schwass' big mark just before the half-time siren. McKernan nor Carey were able to dominate the game as they would wish. North's best players were instead the small men - Bell, Rock and Stevens. King and Martyn were also good players. Pagan was happy with the win, admitting that North played below its best. In an interview Carey acknowledged that the players were delighted to finally register a win ia though refused to be drawn into commenting about his report. Carey dlthatepeated that he rates Gl he rates Glenn Archer as the most courageous player in the league, and praised Anthony Rock's efforts in the game. He also reported that Longmire's return would be entirely up to Longmire, and that he would have to take in to consideration his career in risking an early comeback. He stated that a decision on Longmire would be likely to be made this week.
North will sweat on the Carey report, but next week's opponents Geelong have Couch, and possibly Ablett reported. Ablett intentionally tripped an opponent by foot, which should have warranted an instant report. He is likely to be reported on trial by video, and in my opinion will be very lucky not to be suspended. Carey was not as focussed on the football on the night, and several times threatened to clash with McCartney. The incident in which he was reported was possibly the incident in which he shepherded McCartney, and lifted the arm. Whether contact was made is debatable - McCartney would more likely to have a broken nose or be unconscious if Carey did in fact make contact, and this did not occur.