An ‘8-point game’ sums up this crucial match between St Kilda and North Melbourne tonight from Etihad Stadium. Who gives their finals chances a massive boost? Live scores and commentary from this game is coming up from 4:40pm AEST
Who saw what North Melbourne did last week coming? I definitely did not and it’s fair to say that there’s very few who did.
North Melbourne was quick, intense and direct – traits of the Kangaroos that we really enjoy seeing from them when it happens.
And that’s the big issue – when it happens. Unfortunately, if you’ve been a North Melbourne fan for long enough, you’d know that the Kangas have been in these situations before, where they’ve had a massive win that could easily “set up their season” only to fail miserably at the next couple of hurdles.
It’s frustrating to say the very least for the North supporters. And it’s been made very clear from fans and the media all week. The heat has been on the footy club to make sure that they repeat their efforts from last week in what is now their biggest match of the season.
Time for the players to stand up and be counted. To be able to do that, it doesn’t require 3-hours worth of work, but consistent performances week in, week out.
If they can play like they did against Adelaide last week, they will be able to win this game and win it quite well.
But we’re yet to see the consistency. It’s hard to know whether we’ll see the three-pronged forward line fire again. It’s hard to know whether the likes of Ziebell, Adams and Wells will be able to continue their red-hot form in contested ball and clearances again. It’s hard to know whether Nathan Grima will be able to get close to the good game he had last week ever again!
St Kilda on the other hand has shown some consistency throughout the first half of the season. They’ve never been blown out of the water in matches they’ve lost and shown that their midfield is still going strong with Lenny Hayes revitalising their stocks.
On the road a fortnight ago against Adelaide, they never let the game go despite trailing by 5 goals at the final change. It was a gutsy effort that has got a lot of people on side with the Saints.
The likely inclusions of Farren Ray and Ahmed Saad are certainly pluses. But whether they can slot straight in is a big question, especially Saad – Stephen Milne, Adam Schneider and Terry Milera has really given the forward line some potency at ground level.
If there is something that needs to be sorted for the Saints is the back line. Four of the five losses they’ve had, St Kilda’s given up 30 scoring shots or more. While it’s great to score plenty of goals down your end, it’s imperative to make sure that your not seeing the ball sail over the defenders head’s too often either.
The other thing going against the Kangaroos is a pretty poor record of late against the Saints. But, at Etihad Stadium, they’ve won four of their last five including those two big wins throughout this year against Geelong and Adelaide.
So who comes out of this game with a better run at the finals? Will the Kangas show us their real intentions? Or will the Saints continue their run of form? It’s the match of the round from Etihad Stadium as St Kilda play North Melbourne. Join us for live scores and commentary from 4:40pm AEST.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | North Melbourne 21.10 136 def. St Kilda 15.13 103 That wraps up a ripping contest at Etihad Stadium and wraps up Round 14. The big movers were the Kangaroos and to an extent Brisbane (who now join the pack at 6-7). While the top five keep on keeping on - Collingwood still a game clear, while West Coast, Sydney and Essendon did their best to get a percentage boost. Join us next week for more AFL coverage on The Roar - there's some big games next week including the traditional Collingwood vs. Carlton clash, a huge clash between the Kangaroos and West Coast in Hobart, St Kilda and Essendon do battle as well as the next Showdown battle between the Power and the Crows. Join us next week on theroar.com.au, follow us on Twitter @TheRoarSports and on Facebook "The Roar".
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | North Melbourne 21.10 136 def. St Kilda 15.13 103 It's a huge win today for North Melbourne as they come away with a 33-point win against St Kilda. The win moves them to 7-6 with 8th spot all theirs. There's a massive log jam behind them, with five teams now with a 6-7 record. The Kangas has a tough match next week against West Coast in Hobart, then two more massive games against Carlton and Richmond. For St Kilda, they have Essendon and Sydney coming up over the next three rounds - there's a couple of monster games for them. If they can get 2 wins out of the next 3, they'll keep their hopes alive. But today will hurt them. Today was a chance to show the improvements made under Scott Watters, but they lacked pace around the ground and when the pressure was put on, they didn't respond.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | North Melbourne 21.10 136 def. St Kilda 15.13 103 Quarter by Quarter St Kilda 6.2 9.5 10.11 15.13 North Melbourne 3.1 9.3 13.5 21.10 Goalscorers StK (10) – Leigh Montagna 2, Stephen Milne 2, Lenny Hayes 2, David Armitage 2, Jack Steven 2, Nick Riewoldt 1, Jason Gram 1, Ben McEvoy 1, Terry Milera 1, Adam Schneider 1 NM (12) – Drew Petrie 4, Lachie Hansen 3, Lindsay Thomas 3, Leigh Adams 2, Daniel Wells 2, Andrew Swallow 1, Robbie Tarrant 1, Kieran Harper 1, Jamie Macmillan 1, Brent Harvey 1, Ryan Bastinac 1, Sam Wright 1 Player Stats Daniel Wells (NM) 24 kicks, 10 handballs, 10 contested possessions, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 11 inside 50’s, 2 goals, 13 score involvements (13 possessions in Q4) Leigh Adams (NM) 17 kicks, 15 handballs, 16 contested possessions, 6 tackles, 7 clearances, 2 goals, 13 score involvements Lenny Hayes (StK) 15 kicks, 14 handballs, 13 contested possessions, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 7 clearances, 6 inside 50’s, 2 goals Liam Anthony (NM) 14 kicks, 14 handballs, 9 marks, 4 tackles, 9 inside 50’s Jarryn Geary (StK) 15 kicks, 12 handballs, 10 contested possessions, 8 marks, 4 inside 50’s, 5 rebound 50’s Andrew Swallow (NM) 10 kicks, 17 handballs, 9 marks, 13 tackles, 5 clearances, 1 goal, 12 score involvements Team Stats Disposals: NM 378-340; Contested Possessions: StK 132-125; Disposal Efficiency: NM 78%-74%; Tackles: NM 64-55; Clearances: Even 33-33; Inside 50’s: NM 67-53; Time In Forward Half: StK 37%, NM 37%, In Dispute 26%; Marks Inside 50: NM 16-11
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | North Melbourne 21.10 136 def. St Kilda 15.13 103 A lot of questions asked of the North Melbourne Football Club over the last seven days. Last week they were impeccable against a top four side in Adelaide. But we weren't sure whether they could string two big wins together. Today, they started to answer their critics. They were quiet in the first quarter, in fact trailed by about 26 points in the second quarter. It's a 59-point turnaround from there. Daniel Wells, Leigh Adams, Liam Anthony, Andrew Swallow and Jack Ziebell all coming to the party to get the Kangaroos back on track in the second quarter and they managed to go on with it. When challenged, they responded in kind and deserve this win. A 33 point win to North Melbourne to get them inside the top eight after Round 14.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | North Melbourne 21.10 136 def. St Kilda 15.13 103 Another behind from Ryan Bastinac... There's the siren! And a massive roar from the North Melbourne faithul as well! North Melbourne sound the alarm - they're back in the final picture for sure - they win by 33 points!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:30 left | StK 15.13 103 | NM 21.9 135 One last chance for a goal for the Kangaroos. Lindsay Thomas has the kick on goal 45m out. This to finish off the ball game... Just misses to the left hand side.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:20 left | StK 15.13 103 | NM 21.8 134 The North Melbourne fans are in full voice, singing their theme song over the last couple of minutes or so. It's great to see them up and about. This was a massive test for their team, and they've had to hear about it all week. They get to cheer as much as they like tonight!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:16 left | StK 15.13 103 | NM 21.8 134 20 goals and 12 goal scorers - good day for the Kangaroos. As Andrew Swallow, who's done a mountain of work in the second half, spots up another key player this arvo, Daniel Wells. Has the ball at 50m.... kicks a ripping GOAL! Party time at Arden Street!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:40 left | StK 15.13 103 | NM 20.8 128 Ball in from half back for the Kangas, Firrito with a handball that launches an attack forward once again for the Kangas. Sam Wright's all by his lonesome at 50m... runs on and kicks the... GOAL!! Game over!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:30 left | StK 15.13 103 | NM 19.8 122 Time is ticking away for the Saints. A ball in from the pocket, a quick snap on goal from David Armitage, but misses. It looks like another almost-win for the Saints.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:21 left | StK 15.12 102 | NM 19.8 122 Lenny Hayes tries to do all the work in the midfield, but gets tackled. Then the Kangas win themselves a free kick for holding the man. They can reset. Liam Anthony kicks wide to Scott McMahon. Long kick to Drew Petrie, can't mark. Handball off to Ryan Bastinac - GOAL! The lead goes back out to 20 points!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:12 left | StK 15.12 102 | NM 18.8 116 Brendon Goddard launches a long kick from half back to Stephen Milne. Wins a free kick. Then a low worm-burner to David Armitage... runs on to it and soccers off the ground for a GOAL! 14 points the margin...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:17 left | StK 14.12 96 | NM 18.8 116 Leigh Adams hacks the ball forward from the middle of the ground. Jack Ziebell handballs off to Ryan Bastinac... snaps... misses.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:43 left | StK 14.12 96 | NM 18.7 115 North Melbourne need to put this game away. Still 8 minutes on the clock, can't let the Saints back into it. Speaking of, Adam Schneider's taken a good grab in the forward pocket. Lines up from 30m out... in the pocket. GOAL! Two in two minutes. The Saints not out of it just yet....
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 9:00 left | StK 13.12 90 | NM 18.7 115 Sam Wright's gone down behind play. Seemed to get a bit of a mini-clothes-line from Brendon Goddard. Hard work from Terry Milera the sub, runs down his opponent Shaun Atley in the forward line. Wins the free kick. Goes back from 50m out - GOAL!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:17 left | StK 12.12 84 | NM 18.7 115 Daniel Wells has had an amazing impact in the latter stages of the third quarter and all throughout this final quarter. He's again involved as Lindsay Thomas takes a mark at half forward - this to start the celebrations... BAM!!! That's a ripping finish! Margin pushes out to 31 points... the fat lady's knocking down the door!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 11:45 left | StK 12.12 84 | NM 17.7 109 Nathan Grima with an important win of the footy in the back line... and it starts another dash. Lindsay Thomas gives it off to Daniel Wells. Spots up Lachie Hansen. Doesn't blaze away because he sees Drew Petrie on the goal line - kicks it to him. Turns around, GOAL! Game just about gone now.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:40 left | StK 12.12 84 | NM 16.7 103 Centre clearance won by the Kangas... and now Daniel Wells is on the run! Takes a bounce, launches from outside 50m... Touched on the goal line. Behind only. That could have been the ball game there.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:45 left | StK 12.12 84 | NM 16.6 102 Lenny Hayes becoming very important, but the ball's turned over in the middle. Daniel Wells gives it off to Brent Harvey... watch him fly! Runs 40m, gets a couple of bounces, kicks from the boundary at 45... OOOOOOHHHHH!! What a goal! Boomer delivers!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:30 left | StK 12.12 84 | NM 15.6 96 Lenny Hayes uses Montagna for support across half forward. Quick handball off to Jack Steven... kicks from 45m out - GOAL! Back to 2 kicks again.