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
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | North Melbourne 17.19 121 def. Adelaide 13.11 89 Thanks for joining me this afternoon. It's been a really impressive round of footy and sets up a fantastic second half of the season. There are probably six sides still a chance to win the flag, and six teams in the race for the final two spots in the eight. We'll back again for more AFL next week. Don't forget there's plenty more to come tonight at The Roar with the F1's on, plus Wimbledon kicks off this week. I'll catch you again next week, or you can follow me on Twitter @TheSportsFreak
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | North Melbourne 17.19 121 def. Adelaide 13.11 89 North Melbourne has resisted a second half resurgence from the Adelaide Crows to record their 6th win of the season and keeps their finals hopes alive. They’ve had wins like this throughout the Brad Scott tenure, but never been able to build on it. Next week they have St Kilda, West Coast in Hobart, then Carlton and Richmond – three teams that are in the same predicament as them, plus an Eagles team that could be vulnerable on the road. They won thanks to a really bold first half of footy where they out ran and out played their Crows opponents. They were able to stop the fightback from Adelaide as well, who got back within 23 points in latter stages of the third quarter. But the underlying question will be whether today is the real North Melbourne, whether the shellacking at the hands of Hawthorn recently is really them… or a mixture of the two that will continually confuse the fans? For Adelaide, it’s a win they would have pencilled in a few weeks ago. No excuses for them today. It doesn’t matter if some of them had the flu (which has been reported throughout the last few hours), they were really slack in the first half and were made to pay for their inability to get the footy. Jared Petrenko’s influence after half time as the sub helped, but the margin was always a tough one to reel back.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | North Melbourne 17.19 121 def. Adelaide 13.11 89 Quarter by Quarter North Melbourne 6.6 10.10 13.14 17.19 Adelaide 3.2 4.5 9.8 13.11 Goalscorers NM (8) – Robert Tarrant 4, Leigh Adams 3, Lindsay Thomas 3, Drew Petrie 2, Ryan Bastinac 2, Lachlan Hansen 1, Brent Harvey 1, Kieran Harper 1 Adel (10) – Taylor Walker 3, Bernie Vince 2, Ian Callinan 1, Richard Douglas 1, Kurt Tippett 1, Shaun McKernan 1, Rory Sloane 1, Matthew Wright 1, Patrick Dangerfield 1, Jason Porplyzia 1 Player Stats Daniel Wells (NM) 25 kicks, 6 handballs, 9 contested possessions, 6 clearances, 8 inside 50’s Scott Thompson (Adel) 20 kicks, 8 handballs, 13 contested possessions, 8 clearances, 8 inside 50’s Leigh Adams (NM) 14 kicks, 12 handballs, 9 contested possessions, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50’s, 15 score involvements, 3 goals Ryan Bastinac (NM) 12 kicks, 13 handballs, 9 contested possessions, 6 inside 50’s, 2 goals Patrick Dangerfield (Adel) 15 kicks, 10 handballs, 14 contested possessions, 4 rebound 50’s Team Stats Disposals: NM 351-285; Disposal Efficiency: NM 74%-72%; Contested Possessions: NM 134-115; Contested Marks: NM 20-11; Tackles: Adel 42-41; Clearances: NM 36-31; Inside 50’s: NM 59-43; Time In Forward Half: NM 42%, Adel 35%, Dispute 23%
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | North Melbourne 17.19 121 def. Adelaide 13.11 89 That will do it - it's a very important win this evening for the North Melbourne Football Club. They defeat a genuine premiership contender, but now need to build on it. Impressive first half from the Kangas. They end up winning by 32 points at Etihad Stadium
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:29 left | NM 17.19 121 | Adel 13.11 89 Taylor Walker evades his opponent, then checks his kick short to find Ian Callinan. His kick 48m out on the boundary is a tough one... but can't slot it through. But from the kick in, a turnover straight to Jason Porplyzia. His kick is a GOAL!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:02 left | NM 17.19 121 | Adel 12.10 82 Bad kick on goal from Robbie Tarrant. Behind only from the forward pocket - trying to build on his four goal bag.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:11 left | NM 17.18 120 | Adel 12.10 82 Patrick Dangerfield puts a consolation goal on the board for the Crows. Did brilliantly to steal the footy at half forward, then dodge Leigh Adams and finish with a great goal
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:55 left | NM 17.18 120 | Adel 11.10 76 Another goal to the Kangaroos - Ryan Bastinac gets his second of the day. The celebrations can start now for the Kangas fans. Again, it was forward pressure from the Roos that helped them get that goal.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:59 left | NM 16.18 114 | Adel 11.10 76 Brent Harvey runs through the midfield and then spots up Robbie Tarrant 30m out from goal... kicks on goal... squeezes it home for the 16th GOAL for the Kangas!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:59 left | NM 15.18 108 | Adel 11.10 76 Nice kick on goal from Taylor Walker - splits the middle. They're not totally out of it yet, but they need to do everything right over the last nine minutes of this match!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 9:54 left | NM 15.18 108 | Adel 10.10 70 Drew Petrie gets his hands on the footy at half forward. Good grab. A chance to just about ice the game. Kicks from 45m out.... GOAL! That should just about do it you'd think!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 11:40 left | NM 14.18 102 | Adel 10.10 70 Stoppage in the teeth of the Adelaide goals. Petrenko tries to get it forward, smothered. McMahon then cops a high tackle for the Kangas. They'll clear it away
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:18 left | NM 14.18 102 | Adel 10.10 70 Shaun McKernan takes a strong mark 55m out on the flank. Then sees a good run from Scott Thompson who drops into the space at the top of 50m. Huge kick... got too close to the man on the mark. Affected the kick. Behind only
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 14:12 left | NM 14.18 102 | Adel 10.9 69 Another shot on goal from Lachie Hansen, bounces near the goals... but just the wrong side! Behind only.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 14:28 left | NM 14.17 101 | Adel 10.9 69 Jack Ziebell kicks inside 50 from the stoppage at the wing... kicks towards Lachie Hansen. He's interfered with at the contest by Ben Rutten. Free kick. This would be one nail in the coffin... Hansen - misses. Touched off the boot as well. But time is the enemy of the Crows.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 16:17 left | NM 14.16 100 | Adel 10.9 69 The Crows go forward once again, a few chains of hanbballs, then Douglas the target in the forward pocket. But knocked away by the Kangas defence. Behind only
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 17:00 left | NM 14.16 100 | Adel 10.8 68 Slow and steady build up from the Crows eventually gets to Bernie Vince. Takes the mark inside the forward 50, straight in front as well. Lines it up... going, going... GOAL! They're not done with yet!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 18:03 left | NM 14.16 100 | Adel 9.8 62 Kick to half forward by Liam Anthony, spills to Lindsay Thomas! Runs free, kicks from 45m... but misses. Then Robbie Tarrant has a snap on goal 20m out... but misses it off to the left. Could have been the ball game right there.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 19:03 left | NM 14.14 98 | Adel 9.8 62 Turnover at half forward for the Kangas... Kieran Harper runs away from his opponent... near the boundary 40m out - GOAL!!!! Ripping finish!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 19:59 left | NM 13.14 92 | Adel 9.8 62 First five minutes will tell the tale of this one. Final quarter underway!