Hopefully you aren’t comatose yet after your chocolate binge, because it’s time for some history. We’ll bring you all the live action as it happens from 1.10pm AEST as North Melbourne take on GWS Giants.
The reasons we’re in for some history today isn’t because it’s the GWS Giants’ first away game, or their first contest against North Melbourne.
Today’s match is at Blundstone Arena (formerly Bellerive Oval) in Hobart – the first time the AFL has played at the venue.
For footy followers, the dimensions are similar to Etihad Stadium (Blundstone 160m x 124m, Etihad 159.5m x 128.8m).
For sporting followers (that’s why you’re here), you’re probably still coming to terms with Bellerive Oval having a different name. So, let’s just call it Hobart for now while you acclimatise yourselves.
To the game itself – North Melbourne should win and win well, plain and simple.
Greater Western Sydney is the newest kid on the block and we can’t expect the team to be winning in game number two.
Having said that, it was Easter last year when the Gold Coast got their first win on the board against Port Adelaide (admittedly they were playing their fourth game in their history).
So for those holding out hope of an Easter miracle… I offer you that little bit of hope.
Today’s an important day for the $6m man Tom Scully. This will be the first time he plays for points for the Giants since his move from Melbourne.
There will be a lot of focus on him throughout the match, but is it warranted in a brand new team?
He will also have Luke Power making his club debut, after missing last week with a hamstring injury. We won’t be seeing the return of Dean Brogan – he continues to be out with his back not 100 percent, meaning we’ll see more of Jonathon Giles in the ruck.
We saw GWS coach Kevin Sheedy send everyone back when they were under attack by the Swans in round one.
We’ll probably see more of the same during the match, but hopefully with the inclusions of Scully and Power there might be a longer fight.
For the Kangaroos, it’s a matter of making sure they stick to their structures, sticking to their game plan and not getting sucked into elementary mistakes.
It’s no secret coach Brad Scott wants to see more from Todd Goldstein and Hamish McIntosh in the rucks this week.
They will have been hurting all week from their 2 point loss to Essendon at Etihad in round one (which is the equivalent of two Lindsay Thomas kicks on goal). So let’s see how aggressive they are today to write that wrong.
The Kangaroos will be hoping to impress their new faithful in Hobart – it’s a six game deal over three years.
Their president James Brayshaw’s done a lot of ground work to make this successful. Now, it’s up to the players to do the right thing.
There’s a few questions that need answering, and we’ll attempt to do that from 1.10pm AEST. So make sure you join in here and leave your comments on the game in the space below.
Hop
Guest
Almost a good prediction,you were talking end of first quarter werent you ?
The Cattery
Roar Guru
From AFL site, official attendance: 11,127.
chris rundle
Guest
just like to know the attendence
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL – North Melbourne 28.15 183 def. Greater Western Sydney 8.6 54 If you want positives for the Giants - Jeremy Cameron showed he can be a potent forward, Chad Cornes is a big asset to have in defence, Toby Greene was solid today, Jonathan Giles is a very good ruckman. But, the fact that they were non-existent in the first half is a massive worry, even if they are all playing their second game together. That's it from Blundstone Arena, Hobart. Records and history everywhere. Hopefully for North Melbourne fans, it can be the start of something good in 2012. I'll see you again next week on theroar.com.au. Make sure you follow on Facebook and Twitter too (and if you're on Twitter, give @TheSportsFreak a follow too)
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL – North Melbourne 28.15 183 def. Greater Western Sydney 8.6 54 Goalscorers NM - Aaron Edwards 5, Hamish McIntosh 3, Ryan Bastinac 2, Liam Anthony 2, Brent Harvey 2, Ben Cunnington 2, Aaron Mullett 2, Drew Petrie 2, Todd Goldstein 2, Leigh Adams 1, Andrew Swallow 1, Daniel Wells 1, Jamie Macmillan 1, Sam Wright 1, Kieran Harper 1 GWS - Jeremy Cameron 4, Callan Ward 1, Devon Smith 1, Jonathan Giles 1, Phil Davis 1
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL – North Melbourne 28.15 183 def. Greater Western Sydney 8.6 54 Player Stats Ryan Bastinac (NM) 16 kicks, 28 handballs, 12 contested possessions, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals, 2 goal assists, 16 score involvements Liam Anthony (NM) 16 kicks, 22 handballs, 12 contested possessions, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 2 goals, 2 goal assists Leigh Adams (NM) 12 kicks, 25 handballs, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal --- Chad Cornes (GWS) 15 kicks, 17 handballs, 8 contested possessions, 10 marks, 10 rebound 50s Toby Greene (GWS) 16 kicks, 15 handballs, 11 contested possessions Team Stats Disposals - NM 505-350; Contested Marks - GWS 15-10; Clearances - NM 48-35; Inside 50s - NM 83*-41; Marks Inside 50 - NM 21-5; Turnovers Created - NM 7-0 * - AFL record
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL – North Melbourne 28.15 183 def. Greater Western Sydney 8.6 54 And that ends a tough day for Greater Western Sydney. At least they showed some fight in the third quarter and a little bit of the fourth. But the Kangaroos ran rampant today. Good news for their new Hobart supporters today. Records smashed everywhere you look - with 15 individual goalkickers, to the most Inside 50's in a single match. GWS showed nothing in the first half and were made to pay. A look at the stats to come...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:25 left – NM 28.15 183 GWS 8.6 54 Brent Harvey kicks truly with his 21st kick of the afternoon. That's his 2nd goal.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:30 left – NM 27.14 176 GWS 8.6 54 80 inside 50's is the current record in the AFL. It's now 82 for the Kangas. Another record next to North Melbourne's name this arvo.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:48 left – NM 27.14 176 GWS 8.6 54 The floodgates are opening late. Ben Cunnington now gets himself a second goal of the afternoon.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:11 left – NM 26.14 170 GWS 8.6 54 Kieran Harper makes it 15 individual goal kickers - that's the record for the club right there. Well done.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:00 left – NM 25.14 164 GWS 8.6 54 Andrew Swallow becomes the 14th goalscorer for North Melbourne. That's a club equal record in their history!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:56 left – NM 24.14 158 GWS 8.6 54 Poor turnover from the Giants in their defensive 50. Pounced upon by Jamie Macmillan - kicks a simple goal
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 9:10 left – NM 23.14 152 GWS 8.6 54 Drew Petrie gives it off to Aaron Edwards... who should have been able to run into an easy goal. But he muffs the kick. Tsk tsk.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:57 left – NM 23.13 151 GWS 8.6 54 Ripping kick from Stephen Coniglio, and a good gut-busting run from Jeremy Cameron too. Takes the mark inside 50. In front of the goals... he now has 4 next to his name. Good return!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:51 left – NM 23.13 151 GWS 7.6 48 Liam Anthony launches a long and straight kick from 55m out. Let's the breeze do the rest. Nice kick. Great day for him - 33 possessions and 2 goals.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:20 left – NM 22.13 145 GWS 7.6 48 Callan Ward with a quick snap from about 48m out... GOAL! Nice work - had to beat three in the marking contest as well
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:39 left – NM 22.13 145 GWS 6.6 42 Ben Cunnington leads out well near the boundary to take the mark... then slots it home with a wonderful kick.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 14:50 left – NM 21.13 139 GWS 6.6 42 The ball almost trickles across for a rushed behind... saved by Brent Harvey... snaps, but just misses.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 16:24 left – NM 21.12 138 GWS 6.6 42 Leigh Adams is now up to his 35th disposal of the day... but he pushes it far off to the right. Just the behind.