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A massive game on the cards for North Melbourne this afternoon as they host a genuine premiership contender Adelaide at Etihad Stadium. We’ll have live scores and commentary from the game from 4:40pm AEST.
The Kangaroos have been such a topsy-turvy team in 2012. A close loss against Essendon, “gutsy performances” against West Coast on the road and then horrible efforts against Hawthorn, Sydney and Gold Coast, despite winning.
At the halfway mark of the season, North Melbourne find themselves in a situation that seems to happen far too often – outside the top eight, under a 50 per cent strike rate and treading water.
In fact, it’s fair to say since Brad Scott’s taken over, that’s all North Melbourne has done under his tenure: treading water.
Today we need to see why this club should still be considered a finals contender. And they do so against a side that finished off in a worse position at the end of last season, yet have been able to regroup and battle with the best of the league consistently.
Lachie Hansen and Liam Anthony are good inclusions for the Kangas, but that’s not going to win it for them.
North Melbourne has won the last two against the Crows at Etihad Stadium, but that’s not going to get them across the line either
They need to be hard at the footy, win the contested ball and get some scoreboard pressure on early. That’s reliant upon the midfield to step up to the plate.
They’ve been disappointing in the last two matches played, so time to bring your A-game or start booking your holidays in early September.
Adelaide has been mighty impressive all season. Just two losses next to their name against very fancied rivals and have been able to win on the road against sides they should be putting away.
A change in coach has brought a change in mindset, plus their fitness is stellar.
The midfield is one of the most dominant in the competition this season – Patrick Dangerfield (averaging 27 disposals, 16 contested possessions and 7 clearances this season), Rory Sloane (24 disposals, 6 tackles), Scott Thompson (30 disposals, 7 clearances) all pressing their claims for All-Australian status in 2012.
The addition of Bernie Vince into the lineup this week from suspension gives it an even bigger boost and really will send shivers into the spine of the North Melbourne opponents.
The forward line has been solid with Taylor Walker and Kurt Tippett playing well without firing at the same time, but have been supported by Jason Porplyzia and Ian Callinan.
While the back line has only given up 15 goals or more in two matches in 2012 with Brent Reilly getting plenty of the ball and being part of plenty of scoring chains.
The only thing that has been somewhat disappointing in the last few matches is the way they have let there opposition back into the contest late in games.
They were lucky not to get run down by St Kilda last week, got challenged in the second half by Fremantle at Patersons Stadium before their bye week and got hammered in the final quarter by Collingwood in their only home loss of the season.
I can’t see that happening today, but if there are signs of a challenge, there will be a lot of interest to see how the Crows respond.
Can the Kangaroos spring a surprise to end Round 13 and put some extra sting into the race for the top eight? Or will it be the Crows knocking on the door of top spot? Join us from 4:40pm AEST for all the action from Etihad Stadium as North Melbourne takes on Adelaide
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