North Melbourne vs Gold Coast: AFL live scores, blog
Columnist By Cameron Rose, 28 Apr 2012 Cameron Rose is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- AFL, Brent Harvey, Daniel Wells, Gold Coast Suns, Karmichael Hunt, live blog, North Melbourne Kangaroos
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Drew Petrie marks for North Melbourne (Slattery Images)
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Today we see North Melbourne take on the visiting Gold Coast Suns at Etihad Stadium, with both sides looking to get back on track after poor performances last week. Join us for live scores and commentary from 4.40pm AEST.
In many ways, the Kangaroos can’t get anything out of this match.
After their round three win over reigning premiers Geelong, the champagne was flowing, talk of North Melbourne having finally ‘arrived’ was the order of the day, and many were predicting them to upset the undefeated Swans in Sydney.
A five goal-to-one opening quarter by the home side soon put paid to all of that, and as they went down by 36 points we were once again left wondering if the Roos will ever get there.
Stung by the loss, North would love to hit back hard this week against a worthy opponent. Instead they face a travelling Gold Coast missing Gary Ablett, which is like David going to Goliath’s backyard armed not with rocks but feathers.
We know what the Kangaroos are capable off when coming off a loss that hurts against a lowly outfit – after the round one heartbreak against an Essendon side they were fancied to beat, we saw them pulverize GWS a week later by 129 points.
No one will be surprised if they do the same here. Ryan Bastinac, Liam Anthony, Leigh Adams and co will be competing with each other once more to rack up possessions and goals.
This time they’ll be joined by possibly the best of the young brigade, Jack Ziebell, who missed out on party time against the Giants.
Throw in the evergreen Brent Harvey, the electric Daniel Wells who is improving with each outing after a limited pre-season, and a Drew Petrie who is eager to impress in front of goal after a fortnight out of form, and you have the ingredients for a big win that will look good in the Sunday papers, but mean nothing in terms of building this football club.
With Gary Ablett and Jarrod Harbrow out, an injury cloud over Michael Rischitelli, and David Swallow also less than 100% after a hip injury last week, is it too much to hope for the Suns to be competitive? In a nutshell, yes.
You know we’ve come a long way in a short time when it can be said with a straight face that Karmichel Hunt is one of the form players in the Gold Coast side, but there you have it.
If his younger teammates can take a lead from his intensity, application and pressure, then the Suns can make it harder for the Roos to succeed.
Harley Bennell and Josh Caddy have been the two most impressive Gold Coast youngsters so far in season 2012, the former impressing with his spark and skill, the latter with hardness and footy smarts.
They’ll need to find another level today though, and just might do so without Ablett to rely on.
Campbell Brown has been a terrible disappointment in his three games so far this year, and Guy McKenna should have given him a bake this week, putting the onus on him to perform.
Averaging 10 possessions a game is poor enough, but he’s not even making up for it with work-rate. Applying a lowly 1.7 tackles a match is far down from his output over the last four years, and simply not good enough from a respected leader and supposed hard man.
When it comes to summing up this match, there is only going to be one outcome, so the final margin will come down to how much Guy McKenna can stem the bleeding, especially without the best player in the league at his disposal.
I think we can draw a formline through what a hungry North did to GWS, and I think they’ll play with the same purpose again.
In a year where 13 wins may not be enough to secure a spot in the eight, percentage will be crucial come the end of the year. The Roos will know this, and the Suns will be powerless to stop them.
North will gain four points out of this match, but not respect. That can only come by backing up with the same effort against quality opposition week after week.
North Melbourne by 90 points.
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Cameron Rose is a born and bred Melbournian, raised on a regime of AFL, cricket and horse racing. He likes people who agree with him but loves those that don't, for in his mind there is nothing better than a roaring debate. He tweets from @camtherose.
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The Crowd Says (80) | Page 1 of Comments
The Roar Live Blog: Latest comments displayed at the top of the page | Click here to jump to leave a comment
7:37pm
GrantS said | 7:37pm | Report comment
I said in the GWS article that I wasn’t sure the Suns had improved on last year but on that effort you would have to say they have.
They were right in this game until ten minutes in to the third quarter when the Roos took control.
In their only meeting last year North Melbourne beat Gold Coast at Carrara by 122 to 63. If you consider the Roos to be at about the same this year as last then a win of 127 to 93 points at home means the Suns are about a five goal better side this year.
6:23am
ManInBlack said | 6:23am | Report comment
North, having beaten Geelong has shown themselves to be improving on the 2011 vintage. For the Suns to challenge them as they did without Ablett and Rischitelli was a big effort,
although, North’s 42 scoring shots to 28 should’ve produced a bigger winning margin – and it could be suggested that North took the foot off in the 2nd and quickly found out the danger of doing that.
It does though show – that pure talent is one thing, but, intensity and work rate are far more important. Drop off in that area and the opposition will find a way – usually, and that includes Giants and Suns at this early stage of their evolution.
7:36pm
Cameron Rose said | 7:36pm | Report comment
It’s been a pleasure to bring you the game today, and I think we’re all glad that it wasn’t another towelling of an expansion club. The more competitive they can be, the better off it is for the spectator, and the league in general.
See you soon around The Roar!
7:34pm
Cameron Rose said | 7:34pm | Report comment
So the result is as we expected, but perhaps not the margin, and definitely not the ease. North were down at half time after the Suns smashed them out of the middle in the second term, kicking seven goals largely due to their clearance dominance. The Roos were on top in the early stages of the match, and perhaps thought it was all going to happen easily.
The Gold Coast coaching staff and supporters will be thrilled with their teams effort minus the experience of Rischitelli, the half-back composure of Harbrow, and of course the all-round brilliance of Gary Ablett, Jr.
Harley Bennell stepped up, although he’s been good all year, David Swallow continues to grow, and the Suns look to have found one in Kyle Horsley, even if he did tire late, which can be excused in your first game.
North fans will be happy to get the win after the initial scare, and sometimes it is hard to get up for a match in which you pretty much know you’re going to win. They’ll need to lift before taking on West Coast at Subiaco next week, and i’m sure they will.
7:30pm
Cameron Rose said | 7:30pm | Report comment
GOALS
NM: Edwards, Petrie, Thomas 3, Adams, Harper 2, MacMillan, Cunnington, Harvey, McIntosh 1
GC: Bennell 3, Dixon, Day, Brown 2, Iles, Swallow, Russell, Lynch 1
DISPOSALS
NM: Swallow 31, Atley 26, MacMillan, Bastinac 24, Cunnington, Harvey, Anthony 23
GC: Brennan 24, Swallow 23, Bennell 21, Horsley 19, Bock 17
7:28pm
Cameron Rose said | 7:28pm | Report comment
FULL TIME
NORTH MELBOURNE 17.25.127 def GOLD COAST 13.15.93
7:27pm
Cameron Rose said | 7:27pm | Report comment
The Suns get the final centre clearance, and Brad Scott isn’t happy. Matera is dumped after disposing of the ball, and Bennell will take the kick.
He makes no mistake, and has three.
NM 17.25.127
GC 13.15.93
0 to go 4th quarter
7:25pm
Cameron Rose said | 7:25pm | Report comment
Nothing really happening now, although North keep bombing it in to Petrie, who is continually outnumbered and outpointed, so the Suns clear fairly easily.
Liam Anthony goes forward, and Edwards gives away a free.
The Suns go forward for one more, and they succeed, a junk time goal to Campbell Brown.
NM 17.25.127
GC 12.15.87
1 to go 4th quarter
7:23pm
Cameron Rose said | 7:23pm | Report comment
North breaks from the middle through Swallow finding Harper, and there’ll be a throw in deep.
Bastinac tries to snap a goal, but it rolls out for a further stoppage. Bennell clears, and gets it again after Swallow and Matera combine to get it back to him, but his pass is chopped off. He’s been the Suns best today, but has impressed me all season – this is the fourth Suns game in a row that i’ve blogged, and I watched them in round one too.
NM 17.25.127
GC 11.15.81
3 to go 4th quarter
7:19pm
Cameron Rose said | 7:19pm | Report comment
Bennell wins it out of the centre, does some evasive moves, and finds Campbell Brown on the lead. He gets pushed after marking it, and gets 50.
He kicks it from point blank range.
NM 17.25.127
GC 11.15.81
5 to go 4th quarter
7:17pm
Cameron Rose said | 7:17pm | Report comment
Not much happening now, everyone waiting for the final siren, but still a bit of time to go. Bennell involved again with a shot for goal, but it doesn’t quite make the distance and is punched through.
On a personal note, I played footy myself this morning, and suffered a corked thigh, which i’m now feeling a bit.
Back to the footy, and Thomas kicks a goal for North. He’s been one of North’s best today, and could well have been their best. Had great impact.
NM 17.25.127
GC 10.15.75
6 to go 4th quarter
7:14pm
Cameron Rose said | 7:14pm | Report comment
More ball control from North after Thomas wins a free on centre wing, but eventually Matera is able to cut it off. Now it’s the Suns turn to pass it around, while they try for the slow build towards goal.
Players are happy to have a couple of stoppages now, and save some energy.
NM 16.25.121
GC 10.14.74
8 to go 4th quarter
7:11pm
Cameron Rose said | 7:11pm | Report comment
North happy to chip it around a bit, spread the love among the group with getting hands on ball.
Needless to say it ends with a Kangaroos behind, to Wright.
NM 16.25.121
GC 10.14.74
10 to go 4th quarter
7:09pm
Cameron Rose said | 7:09pm | Report comment
North goes forward once more, in control now, although there is litlle intensity. Still a bit of niggle out there, but all players now largely going through the motions.
Bock and Thompson don’t seem to be best friends, bashing into each other off the ball. Scott Thompson wouldn’t have many friends on opposition lists, if we’re talking about it.
Hunt does a little one-two, and it ends up with Bennell, who misses. He’s so sharp though.
NM 16.24.120
GC 10.14.74
11 to go 4th quarter
7:06pm
Cameron Rose said | 7:06pm | Report comment
Horsley has been good on debut, but sends this one out on the full when going inside fifty.
The sting has gone out of this one now, which is a shame after the excitement of the opening half when one of the biggest boilovers of our time was on the cards.
Sam Wright turns Brennan inside out, but can’t make the most of it, kicking the latest in a long line of North behinds.
The Suns can’t clear, and Petrie traps Smith holding the ball. He goes long, and Aaron Edwards flies high to mark strongly.
He’ll kick this.
And he does.
NM 16.24.120
GC 10.13.73
13 to go 4th quarter
7:02pm
Cameron Rose said | 7:02pm | Report comment
Interestingly, North are up by about 40 points in goals scored from turnovers, which is roughly the actual margin.
It shows that you must be precise by foot in today’s game.
Comedy of errors in the goalsquare at North’s end – Firrito marks but plays on for some reason, despite Suns opponents surrounding him. Harper ends up snapping a behind from the spill.
NM 15.23.113
GC 10.13.73
16 to go 4th quarter
7:00pm
Cameron Rose said | 7:00pm | Report comment
The Suns go forward after Hunt and Thomas were involved in some pyrotechnics on the wing, each airborn and ending up a bit hurt. Gee, Hunt has been good today, giving it out and taking it in equal measure.
In the meantime, Bock has marked inside 50, but he pulls his set shot.
The Roos can’t clear immediately, and the ball finds itself over the boundary in the Suns forward line.
NM 15.22.112
GC 10.13.73
17 to go 4th quarter
6:58pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:58pm | Report comment
Wells has been subbed off for North. No hint of injury, although he has been down today, so perhaps he’s carried illness into the game. The win is all but secured, so no need to take any chances with arguably their best player.
North go forward early, and Petrie kicks the first goal of the quarter, after marking a Thomas pass.
NM 15.22.112
GC 10.12.72
19 to go 4th quarter
6:55pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:55pm | Report comment
Swallow, MacMillan and Atley are the major ball winners for the Roos, with 21, 21, and 20 respectively, while Brennan and Horsley have 17 each for the Suns, but the former hasn’t been a good player tonight.
6:54pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:54pm | Report comment
Six goals to one that quarter from the Roos, stamping their authority on the contest as the better side.
They owned the ball from the middle, and the Suns had no answer to their press, hemmed in defence every time from their kick ins. North allowed them minimal free movement, and cut down their time and space, and the young Gold Coast team had no answers, no doubt getting tired.
This tiredness could be exploited in the last quarter if North want to get nasty and really dominate. If they kick straight, they could go on to win by 10-12 goals.
6:51pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:51pm | Report comment
THREE QUARTER TIME
NM 14.22.106
GC 10.12.72
6:50pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:50pm | Report comment
Swallow landed on Hunt, a knee to the left hamstring, and Karmichel limps off. Felt that one, and a bit of payback from the Roos.
Bennell has a long fly from outside 50, but another behind results, there’s been plenty of them today.
NM 14.22.106
GC 10.12.72
0 to go 3rd quarter
6:48pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:48pm | Report comment
Roos pushing forward again, and once more Hunt and Swallow clash bodies. Good education for Hunt to play on the champion North captain.
Thomas goes long, and Bock runs it over the line for a rushed behind.
NM 14.22.106
GC 10.11.71
1 to go 3rd quarter
6:46pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:46pm | Report comment
Suns go forward and Matera goes long for Brennan to mark in the square, but he’s pushed his opponent in the back, and it won’t be a goal to the Suns.
North sweep it down the other end, but another behind is the result.
Now GC sweep it down the other end, and Prestia finds Brennan, who has a chance to make up for his earlier mistake.
He can’t find the middle though.
NM 14.21.105
GC 10.11.71
3 to go 3rd quarter
6:43pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:43pm | Report comment
Lindsay Thomas slides as he did into Rohan last week, again winning the ball from his team.
If the Suns could find another one, it could be interesting, but North controls the ball after Thomas’ exploits, ending with Tarrant. His kick is a shank, but Harvey finds it, hands it off to Adams, who kicks his second for the quarter.
NM 14.20.104
GC 10.10.70
4 to go 3rd quarter
6:41pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:41pm | Report comment
Warnock rushes a behind after a snap from Petrie. Drew couldn’t believe he didn’t get a free after Bock smacked him in the face, but the ump missed it.
The Suns drive it through the middle, going end to end and Brown finds the sub Russell, who kicks a nice one from 45m on the run.
GC needed it.
NM 13.19.97
GC 10.10.70
6 to go 3rd quarter
6:38pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:38pm | Report comment
North utterly dominant now, and perhaps they should have played with this ferocity and intent from the start. Gold Coast are unravelling, the inexperience is showing now, and they’re missing Ablett, Harbrow and Rischitelli.
The ball has been in the Suns forward line for a minute, and there are plenty of numbers around the ball.
Sam Day intercepts a Wright ball, and has a chance for his third. Just pushes it, but he is a nice kick for goal, looks fluent.
NM 13.19.97
GC 9.10.64
8 to go 3rd quarter
6:35pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:35pm | Report comment
Luke Russell makes an appearance for the Suns, shedding the green vest. Sam Shaw is the one who has been subbed off.
Hunt’s hip finds Andrew Swallow’s head, accidentally but not if you know what I mean. The Roos skipper felt it, and is coming off.
North surges forward again, and Adams wins a free for around the neck from Brennan. After three behinds in the opening terms, he finds his first goal.
NM 13.19.97
GC 9.9.63
9 to go 3rd quarter
6:33pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:33pm | Report comment
Another familiar story, the Suns just can not clear. Aaron Edwards runs onto a nice pass from MacMillan.
Edwards is among the best set shots for goal in the game, and he kicks truly from 35m out directly in front.
NM 12.19.91
GC 9.9.63
10 to go 3rd quarter
6:32pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:32pm | Report comment
Brennan’s next kick out ends up in a free to Thomas, and North goes forward again.
A couple of stoppages now. Suns clear through Horsley, but it’s coming back – Swallow finds Tarrant out wide.
Another behind. Utter dominance from the Roos now, but not really capitalizing.
NM 11.19.85
GC 9.9.63
11 to go 3rd quarter
6:30pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:30pm | Report comment
North pressing greatly here, and the Suns can’t clear.
Harper tries for his own snap at goal, but also misses. The Roos continually turning over the Suns kick-ins, and Cunnington now has his chance at a set shot.
Another behind, but this time from the tightest of angles.
NM 11.18.84
GC 9.9.63
12 to go 3rd quarter
6:28pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:28pm | Report comment
North have control now, which was to be expected.
Liam Anthony kicks a long ball into the path of Thomas, but the ball bounces through for a behind.
From the kick in, Matera’s ball is chopped off by Thompson. A regular full back, the bookies will be taking him on, and rightly so. He misses.
NM 11.15.81
GC 9.9.63
13 to go 3rd quarter
6:26pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:26pm | Report comment
Hunt throwing his weight around, taking out Andrew Swallow before that last goal. The Roos players look for payback at the next centre bounce, but indiscriminately, and he wins the free.
North rebound though, going end to end, and Bastinac shows smarts and skill to find Sam Wright 35m out. He misses, but the Roos have been stung into action.
Harvey shows a set of twinkle toes in little space, and hands off to MacMillan who kicks another long goal for North.
NM 11.14.80
GC 9.9.63
15 to go 3rd quarter
6:22pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:22pm | Report comment
The Suns have it locked inside their 50, and Dixon tries to scramble a goal, but the ball bounces astray.
Gold Coast need to stick with North early here, who have come out breathing fire after a bake from their coach no doubt.
Suns have control of the ball for the moment, chipping it around. Once again though, Brennan turns it over. For a skilled player, he makes the worst mistakes in the league. He’s almost becoming a liability with ball in hand this year.
Harper finds a loose ball on the 50m line, and he strikes it well. Goal.
NM 10.13.73
GC 9.9.63
16 to go 3rd quarter
6:19pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:19pm | Report comment
Here we go, and despite the clearance to the Suns, Petrie marks strongly after North go forward through Edwards.
He goals from close range.
NM 9.13.67
GC 9.8.62
19 to go 3rd quarter
6:07pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:07pm | Report comment
Daniel Wells has only had two kicks, which is pathetic for a man of his ability, and NM are missing his piercing skill through the middle.
For the Suns, Campbell Brown is yet to dispose of the ball by foot, three handballs his contribution, and only one tackle. The game looks to have passed him by.
6:03pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:03pm | Report comment
So, a 7 goals to 4 quarter from the Suns, and most of their scores seemed to come from dominant work at centre clearances.
Inside 50′s are in North’s favour 32-23, which is saying that the Gold Coast is largely winning it out of the centre and scoring every time, but from then on the Roos have the edge.
There has been some sloppy play from either side, but also some exciting stuff. Harley Bennell has been best on ground for mine so far, everything he does is dripping with silk. David Swallow has been the leader of the hard work in close for the Suns, along with debutante Horsley, which makes you ask where has he been?
North are working the ball through the middle okay, but are breaking down a bit in the forward line, and haven’t been able to make the most of their easier shots.
Obviously we have to think the Roos will turn it around, but there could well be an upset in the offing.
5:59pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:59pm | Report comment
GOALS
NM: Thomas 2, Edwards, Harper, Harvey, Cunnington, Petrie, McIntosh
GC: Dixon, Day, Bennell 2, Iles, Swallow, Lynch 1
DISPOSALS
NM: MacMillan, Anthony 15, Mullett, Harvey 14
GC: Horsley 14, Swallow 13, Brennan 12
5:57pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:57pm | Report comment
HALF TIME
NORTH: 8.13.61
GOLD COAST: 9.8.62
The crowd boos, but it feels like it’s at the umps. Should be at their own team. They came in expecting to win easily (as we all thought they would) and we are seeing what happens if you don’t take the opposition seriously.
5:59pm
The Cattery said | 5:59pm | Report comment
Yep, looks like a classic case of complacency from North.
Just as the dogs eventually over ran the giants, you’d expect North to do the same here, especially with the outs the Suns have.
6:05pm
Cameron Rose said | 6:05pm | Report comment
Yeah, good call with the Giants comparison, very similar indeed isn’t it. I can easily surmise that it’s hard to get up sometimes for these games against the expansion teams, and at least GC and GWS are showing that if the other team is off they can give them a scare.
6:34pm
The Cattery said | 6:34pm | Report comment
The turnaround has come with a rush.
5:55pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:55pm | Report comment
The Roos are searching for the front late in the quarter, and will be filthy if they can’t find it. Can the Suns hold on, and go in with a confidence boosting lead?
Looks like they might. Tarrant pumps it forward, and Warnock rushes it.
NM 8.13.61
GC 9.8.62
1 to go 2nd quarter
5:53pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:53pm | Report comment
Suns win the clearance again, Weller this time. Horsley pumps it forward, but out of bounds.
McIntosh wins the free for North, and the crowd gives the bronx cheers. I can assure them that it isn’t the umpires that have their team in this position, but as ever, the men in green are the easy target for the supporters rage.
The Roos just haven’t been able to win the ball consistently, they’ve been smashed everywhere this quarter. Not easy to just flick teh switch to turn it on, as the Bombers found out against the Suns two weeks ago.
A couple of tight minutes here, with no team able to win clean ball.
NM 8.12.60
GC 9.8.62
2 to go 2nd quarter
5:50pm
The Cattery said | 5:50pm | Report comment
Suns in front!!
5:49pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:49pm | Report comment
Tempers are getting frayed here, clearly the North players aren’t happy at being in a contest. Hunt wins a free after a shirtfront on Ziebell, and isn’t short of a word either.
David Swallow kicks a goal from the forward movement! Wins the ball from a boundary throw-in, and the North players are asleep.
Suns in front again, 7 goals in the quarter!!
NM 8.12.60
GC 9.8.62
4 to go 2nd quarter
5:47pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:47pm | Report comment
Harley Bennell has impressed me all year, this is the fourth Suns game in a row i’ve blogged. Gee he’s something special.
North goes forward, and Thomas snaps a goal, he’s much better there than the set shot. Swallow was the instigator, and the Gold Coast lead was short lived.
NM 8.12.60
GC 8.8.56
5 to go 2nd quarter
5:45pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:45pm | Report comment
There’s a throw in deep in North’s 50.
The Suns clear through Bennell, who has three touches in the movement, and his long kick finds Lynch.
Lynch kicks the goal, and the Suns hit the front in the shadows of half time! Unbelievable without Ablett and Rischitelli!
NM 7.12.54
GC 8.8.56
6 to go 2nd quarter
5:43pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:43pm | Report comment
North win it again, and Tarrant tries to squeeze a goal from the boundary along the ground, but it hits the post. Valiant attempt at a ‘Daicos’.
The Suns can’t clear, and Prestia rushes a behind under pressure.
McKenzie wins a 50 from the kick in after a Lindsay Thomas love tap. Swallow kicks long to Dixon and he marks.
It’s a behind, and the Suns can’t quite hit the front. In the meantime, Drew Petrie is getting some treatment behind the play.
NM 7.12.54
GC 7.8.50
8 to go 2nd quarter
5:40pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:40pm | Report comment
North win the clearance for a change, and march forward to Petrie in the deep forward pocket. He tries to pass, but too many Suns are there, and they clear through Wilkinson and Brennan. McKenzie finds Iles, who in turn looks for Matera, but his shot is a behind.
Andrew Swallow gets the ball from the kick out, but handballs into a nest of Suns!!! Dixon kicks the goal, barely masking his surprise at such a gift!
Wow, huge error.
NM 7.10.52
GC 7.7.49
10 to go 2nd quarter
5:38pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:38pm | Report comment
North goes the length, and Petrie looks for Thomas, but he is under pressure so just taps it into the path of Harper, great ball sense.
Harper runs into the open goal.
NM 7.10.52
GC 6.6.42
11 to go 2nd quarter
5:37pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:37pm | Report comment
Thomas goes forward for North, to Petrie v Bock, they really are two man mountains.
The ball spills and a stoppage forms, followed by a secondary one, and the Suns eventually clear.
McKenzie puts it foward to Iles again, but he misses from long range, pulling it when going for extra distance.
NM 6.10.46
GC 6.6.42
12 to go 2nd quarter
5:36pm
The Cattery said | 5:36pm | Report comment
Well Cam, you may have got your wish, Suns really impressing so far.
5:34pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:34pm | Report comment
The umpire bounces it horribly at the restart. That could be the worst i’ve seen.
The Suns get another clearance, Zac Smith this time following up his own work, and Sam Iles marks on his chest.
His kick is true, and they won’t go away! Going to be a high-scoring one here today!
NM 6.10.46
GC 6.5.41
13 to go 2nd quarter
5:32pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:32pm | Report comment
High-scoring free-flowing end-to-end footy here, which can happen at Etihad.
Not a lot of accountability on display, the Roos because they probably don’t think they have to (from a player perspective, not the coach I daresay), and the Suns because it’s always a weakness.
Bock gives away a free at half back to Tarrant, and Edwards gets on the end of the long ball. He kicks his first.
NM 6.10.46
GC 5.5.35
14 to go 2nd quarter
5:29pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:29pm | Report comment
Can the Suns make this last? The North fans getting a little restless, they came here hoping for the easy kill, which they may still get, but not from the start like they wanted.
Bennell runs onto an open ball inside 50, and with his skill, you can count on him. Three clearances, three goals, they’re winning the footy and getting it in quick!
NM 5.10.40
GC 5.5.35
15 to go 2nd quarter
5:27pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:27pm | Report comment
Horsley has made an impact from the start, and he wins the clearance here. Sam Day wins the free, and kicks the goal from 50!
The Suns have come to play, and are making a contest of it.
NM 5.10.40
GC 4.5.29
16 to go 2nd quarter
5:26pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:26pm | Report comment
Roos stream forward again, Bastinac does it all, but can’t finish, with the ball touched off the boot.
Suns take it forward, and Dixon sends it Bennell’s way, who is clearly one on one now inside 50, McKenna thinks he’s got a good match-up here with Atley.
Lynch finds Tape, who can’t find a target by foot, but Harvey turns it over to Dixon. Absolute shank of a clearing kick.
Dixon puts it through.
NM 5.10.40
GC 3.5.23
17 to go 2nd quarter
5:23pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:23pm | Report comment
North bullock forward from the opening bounce of the quarter, just weight of numbers more than clean disposal.
Drew Petrie finds the ball after a group of players collapse on it, and he snaps truly.
NM 5.9.39
GC 2.5.17
19 to go 2nd quarter
5:19pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:19pm | Report comment
Suns have been competitive around the ground, but have allowed the Roos to pepper away at the goals once they go forward.
Inside 50′s are 14-12 in favour of the home side, and they’ve dominated the ball 118-77, with most of the differential being in handballs 67-29.
Not sure Brad Scott will be happy with North’s intensity, and obviously the poor goalkicking, while Guy McKenna will be happy that his side is in the game, and fought back after a poor opening few minutes where they couldn’t touch it.
5:17pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:17pm | Report comment
DISPOSALS
NM: Harvey 10, Mullett, MacMillan, Anthony 9
GC: Swallow 8, Horsley (on debut) 7, Brennan 6 (two out on the full, one direct turnover), Matera 6
5:16pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:16pm | Report comment
QUARTER TIME
North 4.9.33
Gold Coast 2.5.17
GOALS
NM: Harvey, Cunnington, McIntosh, Thomas 1
GC: Day, Bennell 1
5:14pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:14pm | Report comment
Some fighting and scrapping out on the wing, but Brennan kicks it out on the full again, albeit it under extreme duress.
Suns go forward through Matera, looking for Bennell again. Look to be playing him deep to cause headaches in the Roos defence.
The Roos lacking a bit of polish, but they rebound again, and Wells finds Tarrant, who doesn’t think he can make the distance. His pass is forced out of bounds.
The Suns have the ball now, and will look to control it down to the quarter time siren.
NM 4.9.33
GC 2.5.17
1 to go 1st quarter
5:11pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:11pm | Report comment
The Suns take it the length of the ground, and Sam Iles has a flying shot. Looks the goods, but the umpires calls for a review.
It’s a lengthy one, but the vision is inconclusive. A behind is registered, because the ump thought it hit the post.
Prestia wins the ball back from the kick-in, but another miss from a relatively simple shot. Poor kicking by both sides.
North runs it forward, and McIntosh looks for Thomas. He snaps on his non-preferred right, and makes no mistake.
NM 4.9.33
GC 2.5.17
3 to go 1st quarter
5:08pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:08pm | Report comment
Sam Shaw goes off for some stiches after a stray elbow to the mouth, which never tickle.
The Suns go forward, and Bennell provides some more magic, competing in the marking contest, giving the hands, getting it back, and then making the ball talk along the ground for a goal.
Leigh Adams gets the ball straight out of the clearance, but misses again, his third for the quarter.
NM 3.9.27
GC 2.3.15
4 to go 1st quarter
5:05pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:05pm | Report comment
It’s an epidemic of misses now, and Harper is the culprit this time.
Warnock kicks out with a short one, but Cunnington chips in to take the mark. Shouldn’t miss this, couldn’t possibly.
He doesn’t.
NM 3.8.26
GC 1.3.9
5 to go 1st quarter
5:03pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:03pm | Report comment
A couple of stoppages deep in the North forward line, and Leigh Adams wins a free for holding.
Highly rated by key people at the Kangaroos, but he misses this horribly. Will be a good player for a long time though, an old-fashioned pure ‘footballer’.
North runs it from half back to 50, but Adams misses again, this time on the run.
NM 2.7.19
GC 1.3.9
6 to go 1st quarter
5:00pm
Cameron Rose said | 5:00pm | Report comment
Horsely gets involved again, breakiing from the centre clearance, and tries to go all the way himself, but he just pushes the kick for a minor score.
D.Swallow marks the kick in, and finds Bennell who takes a pretty special juggling contested mark. Has kicked a few goals this year, but can’t here.
Good couple of minutes for the Suns.
NM 2.5.17
GC 1.3.9
8 to go 1st quarter
4:58pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:58pm | Report comment
The Suns win the clearance through Hunt and Wilkinson, and debutante Kyal Horsley kicks long inside 50.
Sam Day positions himself well, and earns the free for in the back. He makes no mistake from 40m out directly in front. Good team play from Gold Coast.
NM 2.5.17
GC 1.1.7
9 to go 1st quarter
4:56pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:56pm | Report comment
A.Swallow combines with Adams and Anthony, who kicks it Aaron Edwards’ way. Warnock gives away the free, but Edwards misses, unusually for him. The Roos would be disappointed with this start.
Brennan has had two deplorable kicks already, this one going out on the full. He’s actually been quite poor by foot this year.
Edwards snaps another point, but the Roos are pressing now, and Harvey gets a chance to kick truly on the run from 45m out, and he takes it.
NM 2.5.17
GC 0.1.1
10 to go 1st quarter
4:53pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:53pm | Report comment
The first four or so minutes were all North, but the ball has lived in the Suns half of the ground since then.
Sam Wright gives away a soft free with a bump off the ball, but Mav Weller can’t find the middle.
Firrito goes long to Petrie from the kick out who marks strongly, which will be good for his confidence. Has struggled on the whole this year, especially the last two weeks.
Hunt enjoying the physical aspects of the game.
Andrew and David Swallow exchange some slight pleasantries on the outer wing at a stoppage.
Petrie takes a contested mark again, and finds Harvey close to goal. He plays on to snap it, which is common these days, but he misses.
NM 1.3.9
GC 0.1.1
12 to go 1st quarter
4:49pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:49pm | Report comment
Hunt has been involved a few times, he really does look a reasonably accomplished footballer now. And with Israel Folau getting nine touches today after his first goal last week, it’s been a good little period for the two ex-Rugby money men. Good to see.
Suns actually controlling the ball now, and if the Roos relax and don’t man them up, they’ll be able to chip it around a lot of the time.
NM 1.2.8
GC 0.0.0
14 to go 1st quarter
4:46pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:46pm | Report comment
The ball hasn’t been forward for the Suns, and i’m not sure one of them has had a possession other than inside North’s 50.
A behind to Mullett as North control the ball, there’ll be plenty of Roos running forward to look for some easy pickings today.
Suns looking to chip the ball around, play some tempo footy, often a popular method for a struggling bottom side, especially in the clean environs of Etihad Stadium.
NM 1.2.8
GC 0.0.0
16 to go 1st quarter
4:44pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:44pm | Report comment
From the kick out, Lindsay Thomas finds some crumbs, and his snap bounces near the goal line and Hamish McIntosh kicks the easiest of goals.
NM 1.1.7
GC 0.0.0
18 to go 1st quarter
4:43pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:43pm | Report comment
Wells gets the first clearance, combining with Swallow. Leigh Adams win s a free at half forward and sends it deep, but Brennan’s clearing kick is chopped off by MacMillan, who kicks a minor score.
The Roos hit the front in the first minute, and it would be a brave man to say they’ll lose it once today.
NM 0.0.1
GC 0.0.0
19 to go 1st quarter
4:37pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:37pm | Report comment
One of the questions I have is whether McKenna will try and go ultra-defensive. Will he give his mids a job to do in some man-on-man style football? Needs to try and keep his men (kids) accountable, and make it so the North young guns don’t have it all their own way.
4:35pm
The Cattery said | 4:35pm | Report comment
This could be a very horrible day for the Suns.
4:39pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:39pm | Report comment
Yeah, could be very ugly. But sometimes we think a result is going to be a walk in the park and the outsider puts up a fight. Maybe here too. Hope so!
4:29pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:29pm | Report comment
No real point discussing head to head odds, as the result is a fait accompli.
The line for this match is 80.5 points, and North is only paying $1.70 to cover that margin. Looks a decent bet to me if the Kangaroos are half serious.
4:22pm
Cameron Rose said | 4:22pm | Report comment
20 minutes to game time here, and for those that don’t know Michael Rischitelli has been replaced in the side by the magnificently named Maverick Weller. It wasn’t going to be easy for the Suns, and now it gets harder still.
Levi Greenwood is the sub for North, while Luke Russell dons the green vest for the Suns.