North Melbourne 5.1 9.4 14.7 14.11 (95) Brisbane 3.3 8.6 14.12 18.17 (125)
Goals
North Melbourne Carey 3, Allison 3, Roberts 2, Rock, Armstrong, Capuano, Bell, McKernan, Simpson
Brisbane Leppitsch 6, Akermanis 3 , White 2, Lynch 2, Fletcher, Lambert, C Scott, S Hart, D Scott
North suffered its first loss for the season, losing first place to Adelaide. If Essendon beats Adelaide on Saturday night
North may return to the top. I am sorry that I cannot provide a match report as I did not attend this game (as it was
interstate), and didn't get the chance to watch it on TV due to other committments. Perhaps it was better that way, as I heard
North really fell away in the last quarter. This is what has happened in the past, with North fading after half time (happened
badly 2 seasons ago from memory).
At least North didn't have any injuries from this match, but from what I read in the papers Carey may not be match fit. If you
saw this game and can provide me your own match report please email it, and I'll use it. North is at home next week against
Adelaide - which will probably be a battle for top position on the ladder.
I have added a match report below from Peter Stewart.
Just noted that you weren't able to see the game Friday night. I actually went to the game (I live in Brisbane- but go for N.M) and you can well imagine that the last quarter wasn't easy to sit through. North was clearly outplayed- the 30 point margin an accurate reflection on the game. After an even 1st quarter North surprisingly led by about 3 goals Then unfortunately A.Lynch did his hamstring and Justin Leppeitch quickly had 3 marks, 3 kicks and 3 goals on a hapless Micky Martin (who seems to be finding the going tough in '96). Brisbane piled on 5 unanswered goals before North steadied just prior to halftime to hold a slim lead going into the long break. Other than an early surge by N.M the signs weren't good for North in the 3rd Quarter and Brisbane skipped away in the final term, North failing to add a goal. Notable performances came from David King, mainly in the 1st half, as he provided great run from the back; from Anthony Stevens who tried hard all night and Stuart Anderson who seems to have great finesse (but was a bit inaccurate with his kicking at times). Carey was rotating between the half-forward and half-back line and really only made a major impact in the 1st quarter. Pagan shuufled his team around a lot- a tactic he may have picked up from his days with Sheedy. I found this somewhat frustrating. North really struggled to match the speed of the Bears, especially that of the tall but pacy Akermanis, Leppeitch, Bartlett and Kennedy. I think some of the North players may come under pressure this week at the selection table including Robert Scott who has been wasteful with his possessions, and Daniltchenko who I feel suffers from lacking a well defined position in the team. It was good to see Keenan Reynolds was B.O.G. in reserves (how much did N.M pay for him? -$100,000 a year?)and that Bradley Plain continued to figure in the best players. North faces a tough game against top of the table Adelaide and can be thankful the game is at the 'G', not Footy park. from Peter Stewart