North Melbourne 2.5 6.8 10.10 14.12 (96) Geelong 3.2 8.3 13.8 16.13 (109)
Goals
North Melbourne Rock 2, Anderson 2, Sholl 2, Schwass, Scott, A Stevens, Daniltchenko, Bell, Allison, King, D Stevens
Geelong Ablett 3, Colbert 2, Tanner 2, Hall 2, Stoneham 2, Lord, Burns, Sholl, Hocking, Graham
North Melbourne made a change before the start of the game, with Archer out replaced by first-gamer Daniel Stevens. The game was played under perfect conditions for football in front of over 52,000 fans between two teams certain to feature in the 1996 finals series.
First Quarter
North started well, with Roberts taking two marks inside 50 metres, but missing with both kicks. Ablett made North pay by goaling in Geelong's first forward move. North continued to kick poorly, Roberts missing yet another shot, as well as Allison hitting the post and Anthony Stevens also missing. North was behind by 3 points at the break, but really let Geelong into the game by kicking inaccurately. All shots were reasonably easy - none were more than 40 metres out, and most were from set shots at goal. The game was characterised by several fumbles and mistakes by both teams.
Goals:
G - Ablett (3 minutes)
N - Schwass (14)
G - Tanner (19)
G - Colbert (22)
N - Rock (24)
Second Quarter
Geelong came out blazing, and kicked 4 goals and moved to a 26 point lead. North was not playing well, and it looked as if Geelong would run away with the game. North struck back, kicking 4 of the next 5 goals of the quarter, and suprisingly was only 7 points down. The highlight was King's goal, a banana kick on the run from the right forward pocket.
Goals:
G - Ablett (7)
G - Lord (8)
G - Ablett (10)
G - Stoneham (16)
N - A Stevens (18)
N - Daniltchenko (21)
G - Sholl (22)
N - D Stevens (27)
N - King (27)
Third Quarter
Ablett was being well held by Martyn, despite kicking 3 goals. Carey was playing further up the ground, but was not influencing the game as he has been known to do. Sholl goaled twice for North to open the quarter, and North was in front. Geelong struck back kicking the next 3 goals, and the game was being played in patches by each team. Geelong moved back to a 22 point lead, but Allison was able to goal just before the end of the quarter, giving North some chance of getting back into the match. Bell's snap shot was another candidate for "goal of the day".
Geelong was clearly dominating the play, and North struggling to keep up. Hocking was cutting up the North midfield. Geelong was killing North in the midfield, especially at centre bounces. The Cats were able to get first use of the football, by clearing the ball on most occasions. Couch and Hocking were more successful at roving from McKernan and Capuano than the North rovers. North's strategy around bounces was inadequate in comparison to Geelong.
Goals:
N - Sholl (7)
N - Sholl (10)
G - Graham (12)
G - Hall (14)
G - Lord (15)
N - Bell (17)
G - Colbert (20)
G - Tanner (27)
N - Allison (29)
Fourth Quarter
North threatened to steal the game after Geelong moved out to a 23 point lead. Anderson, Rock and Scott all goaled for North within 3 minutes, to move within 5 points of Geelong, with still half a quarter to go. Hall kicked a steadier for Geelong, and the rest of the game was played out in the Geelong forward line, with the Cats kicking only behinds. North's inaccuracy in the first quarter, in which it was the better team, was very costly. Geelong was clearly the better team on the night. The fact that Carey and McKernan were held goalless probably determined the outcome.
Goals:
N - Anderson (5)
G - Stoneham (6)
G - Hocking (32)
N - Anderson (12)
N - Rock (14)
N - Scott (15)
G - Hall (18)
North was disappointing. Although Geelong is a good side, and will feature in the finals, North would be bitterly disappointed with the outcome. Archer's injury was a big blow - he has been used as a "shock-trooper" this year - able to act as a defender, or a goalsneak. North must seriously consider that a drop in form at this time of the season could cost the double chance. North has lost 2 of the last 3 games, and Richmond will be no pushover next Sunday.
A worst case scenario is for North to lose to Richmond, and finish as low as 4th or 5th. A drop in form and confidence could see North out of the finals in 1 or 2 weeks. North has looked lacklustre since defeating Hawthorn in Round 18. Since then one can sense that the team is not playing up to standard, and the players must stand up if they want to improve on the results of the past 2 years.
This drop off in form is a disturbing fact, and North must turn it around with a win over Richmond. A loss will deflate confidence, and should this occur, I doubt that North will be able to recover. As far as the team is concerned, the finals series begins now - and some players must stand up and put in, and stop relying on Carey and McKernan.