Hobart is lucky enough to see a very key game for the season as North Melbourne takes on the West Coast Eagles at Blundstone Arena. We’ll have live scoring plus live commentary from 1:45pm AEST.
It’s a common theme for North Melbourne over the next three weeks: an 8-point game.
They had the first of them last week against St Kilda and were tipped to fall short, but were able to out run the Saints and smash them in intensity.
Today, they will need to step it up even further.
The Kangaroos have been asked some serious questions in the last fortnight and come through with flying colours. If they can get past West Coast today, maybe it will finally make the doubters eat their words. There is still a long way to go in the season, but if they can get past the next three weeks with at least two wins, then September won’t be an early holiday.
The trouble they may have is in the rucks with Todd Goldstein to almost go solo against Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox. But they’ve been able to win plenty of clearances of late.
The forward line has been impressive with Lachie Hansen, Robbie Tarrant and Drew Petrie combining for lots of goals. What was probably more impressive last week was the twelve goal kickers which showed there are plenty of avenues to goal.
For West Coast, they had a soft week last week against the Gold Coast with a massive 126-point win. Today will be a different story.
If the Eagles switch off for a moment in this game, there’s every chance they’ll get monstered by the likes of Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell, Ryan Bastinac or the in-form Daniel Wells.
But the West Coast midfield does seem to be far more superior, with winners everywhere all year. Andrew Gaff has added some midfield power in the last couple of weeks, to join Luke Shuey, Matt Priddis and Daniel Kerr.
Kerr will celebrate game 200 today – the Eagles aren’t always a good milestone team, but with so much on the line today, there’s every chance he’ll be singing the song at game’s end.
But it’s the road record that is a slight concern. They started the season well with a couple of wins on the east coast, but have lost to Essendon, Brisbane and while admirable against Collingwood, still lost to make it 0-3. They’ll need a fast start to get their confidence up.
The fascinating part of today’s game is the implications for different parts of the ladder.
For North Melbourne, a win today would press their case even further for seventh or eighth spot. For West Coast, a win today is the perfect way to keep the pressure on the Essendon, Sydney and Adelaide for a top two spot – which will be so crucial come September.
Join us from 1:45pm AEST for one of the best games of the round as North Melbourne hosts the West Coast Eagles from their home away from home – Blundstone Arena. Make sure you have your say on who you think will win and if you’re watching along with us, add your thoughts to the game.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Phew. That was a close run thing.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | West Coast Eagles 12.14 86 def. North Melbourne 13.6 84 So the West Coast Eagles get a very important win this afternoon. It won't do much to their percentage (in fact it dents their percentage) but it would have been a game they would have penned in a win a couple of months ago. It's wins like these on the road they need to win from here on in to give them every chance to win a top two spot at the end of the season. If they do that, you can almost sign them up for a Grand Final spot with 2 home finals (including a likely home preliminary final). North Melbourne miss their chance to jump back into the top eight, but there's still plenty of opportunities on the way if they play the way they did today - they were still very good today, but just couldn't stop the onslaught of a very good West Coast lineup. There's plenty more still to come tonight and tomorrow in the AFL on The Roar - St Kilda vs. Essendon will be a cracker - Michael DiFabrizio will bring you the action from Etihad Stadium tonight from 7:40pm AEST. I'll join you again tomorrow from 4:40pm AEST for another crucial clash from Patersons Stadium - the Fremantle Dockers and Western Bulldogs - the Dockers hoping to keep in touch with the top eight.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | West Coast Eagles 12.14 86 def. North Melbourne 13.6 84 Quarter by Quarter North Melbourne 5.1 9.3 11.5 13.6 West Coast 3.2 4.6 8.8 12.14 Goalscorers NM (6) – Robbie Tarrant 4, Lindsay Thomas 3, Brent Harvey 3, Lachie Hansen 1, Andrew Swallow 1, Jack Ziebell 1 WCE (7) – Quinten Lynch 3, Dean Cox 3, Jack Darling 2, Daniel Kerr 1, Matt Priddis 1, Chris Masten 1, Josh Hill 1 Player Stats Matt Priddis (WCE) 10 kicks, 24 handballs, 21 contested possessions, 11 tackles, 7 clearances, 5 inside 50’s, 1 goal Daniel Kerr (WCE) 22 kicks, 9 handballs, 14 contested possessions, 5 inside 50’s, 11 score involvements, 1 goal Andrew Swallow (NM) 15 kicks, 10 handballs, 13 contested possessions, 14 tackles, 7 clearances, 5 inside 50’s, 1 goal Matt Rosa (WCE) 13 kicks, 11 handballs, 6 marks, 6 inside 50’s Brent Harvey (NM) 14 kicks, 9 handballs, 6 marks, 3 goals Luke Shuey (WCE) 12 kicks, 11 handballs, 11 contested possessions, 6 clearances Team Stats Disposals: WCE 351-316; Contested Possessions: WCE 152-121; Disposal Efficiency: WCE 72%-68%; Contested Marks: WCE 18-7; Tackles: WCE 62-61; Clearances: WCE 38-35; Inside 50’s: WCE 52-44; Time In Forward Half: NM 34%, WCE 45%, In Dispute 21%; Marks Inside 50: WCE 15-11
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | West Coast Eagles 12.14 86 def. North Melbourne 13.6 84 What an incredible fight back from the West Coast Eagles. They trailed by as much as 35 points late in the second quarter and never looked like getting back into it. North Melbourne were quite outstanding throughout the first half, the Eagles just couldn't run and were overusing the footy. But they flicked the switch after the half time break. Dean Cox amazing in the second half along with Matt Priddis and Daniel Kerr in his 200th was instrumental as well. The Eagles manage to win by 2 points and head back to the top of the table. North Melbourne will be disappointed they didn't get the win, but the Eagles finally got going and the Kangas almost hung on. No 4 points, but there's still positives for them for the run home.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | NM 13.6 84 | WCE 12.14 86 Last chance - Liam Anthony kicks long to the half forward line - DEAN COX AGAIN! Takes the mark Siren sounds! The Eagles win by 2 points!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:40 left | NM 13.6 84 | WCE 12.14 86 Long ball from Dean Cox, Will Schofield has a kick on goal from 45m - behind! Last chance for the Kangas
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:50 left | NM 13.6 84 | WCE 12.13 85 The Eagles chipping the ball around dangerously across the half back line. Daniel Kerr launches to the wing - DEAN COX! Big grab!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:20 left | NM 13.6 84 | WCE 12.13 85 Leigh Adams kicks forward as far as he can, but Eric Mackenzie has the footy across half back. Gets the ball to the centre wing for another stoppage. Firrito, now Daniel Wells. Kicks inside 50 to Lindsay Thomas - no free kick. Kangas fans pleading for one! Then the Eagles win one across half back,
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:15 left | NM 13.6 84 | WCE 12.13 85 Who gets home from here? Jack Ziebell tries to clear the footy, but dragged to the ground by Nic Naitanui. A couple of stoppages in the middle of the ground.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:40 left | NM 13.6 84 | WCE 12.13 85 Eric Mackenzie clears the footy in the middle of the ground. Kicks to the forward line, hoping for a tall target - COX! Again, great contested grab. Can he kick better than last time - 40m out - 45 degree angle - GOAL!!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:38 left | NM 13.6 84 | WCE 11.13 79 The Eagles pressuring the Kangas into another turnover in the middle of the ground... but Eric Mackenzie's given away a free kick for a hold. Can the Kangas settle? Leigh Adams has it at half forward. Into the pocket and finds Robbie Tarrant! Can he kick his 4th of the afternoon? Probably the most important kick of their season to date. Tarrant - GOAL!!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:57 left | NM 12.6 78 | WCE 11.13 79 Daniel Kerr with a clearance, but only as far as Shaun Atley. Robbie Tarrant kicks to the forward line, but Darren Glass intercepts. Down the other end, Matt Pridis kicks long to Jack Darling at half forward, then a short kick to the lead of Dean Cox. Can he put them in front? Yes, but only a behind
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:49 left | NM 12.6 78 | WCE 11.12 78 Quinten Lynch does a lot better this time. Kicks from the middle of the ground to half forward - JOSH HILL Kicks on goal from 50m out - GOAL! We're level! Grandstand finish coming up...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:35 left | NM 12.6 78 | WCE 10.12 72 Brent Harvey settles things down for the Kangaroos. Short ball to the wing to Sam Gibson. Then goes long to the half forward line. Daniel Wells almost runs onto it, but runs out of bounds. The Eagles clear it away. Lynch in two minds - wanted to handball or bounce... ended up fumbling the ball! Lindsay Thomas in the clear, kicks from 50m - out on the full! Nervous final 7 minutes
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:11 left | NM 12.6 78 | WCE 10.12 72 Nic Naitanui in the middle wins the footy, he drags a tackler with him... go all the way! Nope, handballs to Sam Butler... kicks from 45m - behind only.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:27 left | NM 12.6 78 | WCE 10.11 71 Andrew Gaff forced to turn it over to Daniel Wells. Now Brent Harvey with some silky skills... evades a tackler... snaps - GOAL!!! BRILLIANT! That's a really telling kick that one!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 9:19 left | NM 11.6 72 | WCE 10.11 71 Matt Rosa with a handball to the 200 gamer Daniel Kerr... he's dangerous running towards goal... all by his lonesome... settles... kicks a... behind.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 9:45 left | NM 11.6 72 | WCE 10.10 70 Andrew Swallow does well to take the mark at the paint of 50m. Then decides to go to Leigh Adams in the pocket - pushed out wide though by Daniel Kerr. Massive kick for the Kangas, just for a little bit of breathing space. Leigh Adams - kicks nothing! Marked on the goal line by Dean Cox - the tall Eagles coming to the rescue.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 11:19 left | NM 11.6 72 | WCE 10.10 70 Matt Priddis wins a free kick at centre wing. Jack Ziebell not getting rid of the ball in the tackle. He gets up straight away, kicks to half forward - DEAN COX! Easy mark. Matt Priddis is having a cracking second half. Dean Cox to try to give the Eagles the lead - pushed the to the right... but marked on the line by NIC NAITANUI! NicNat - hard up on the boundary - behind only.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:30 left | NM 11.6 72 | WCE 10.9 69 Matt Priddis handballs the ball off to the the run of Eric Mackenzie. From half forward, he kicks to Quinten Lynch! Strong grab. This to give the Eagles the lead.... nearly works its way back, but just a behind. 3 points the margin again.