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The North Melbourne Kangaroos have remained undefeated in season 2016, scraping home 7-point winners against the terrific St. Kilda Saints in Drew Petrie’s 300th.
REPORT: NORTH WIN PUTS FOCUS ON SHOT CLOCK
The siren blew as the Kangaroos held onto a one point lead scored from a dubious ruck infringement free kick that will surely be debated in days to come.
It was a defenders game early, as both sides did well to keep the game low-scoring. The experience and touch of class the Kangaroos did have shone through as they managed to get the jump, going into both quarter time and half time with comfortable leads.
St Kilda never gave up though, keeping the Roos on their toes and making sure the contest was theirs for the taking come the final term. It was in the final fifteen minutes of the game when the Saints exploded with a marvellous four-goal roll, bringing the scores level.
With intensity levels through the roof, both teams put everything on the line, with North Melbourne no doubt relieved to be taking the 4 points home in what was a very tough contest.
St. Kilda had many brilliant players, with Savage and Gilbert influential off half-back, while Leigh Montagna followed the play all day to rack up 34 disposals. However, it was their heroic captain Nick Riewoldt who led the way yet again, as influential as he’s ever been, taking an incredible 16 marks and kicking 3 important goals.
The Kangaroos struggled with a few injuries throughout the day, losing Daniel Wells for most of the game. For the majority of the match they owned the middle, in no small part due to the inside workrate of Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell and Ben Cunnington. Todd Goldstein was also crucial, giving his midfield first use and helping them win the clearances 40-30.
It doesn’t get any easier for the St. Kilda, now having to travel to Perth to play the Eagles. Despite the heartbreaking loss today, they will take solace in their ability to match it with the best, and will be a team to keep your eye on.
North Melbourne, on the other hand, will take plenty of confidence into their clash against the lowly Essendon on Saturday. The ladder leaders won’t get ahead of themselves, but that coveted top two spot is theirs to lose. What a season it’s shaping up to be.
Final score
St Kilda 11.9.75
North Melbourne 11.16.82
After a big win last week the St Kilda Saints are looking to be the first team this year to defeat the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium this Sunday. Join The Roar from 3:25pm (AEST) for live scores and commentary.
The Kangaroos’ attack has been elite this season, scoring a whopping average of 122 points a game before the low scoring struggle against the Western Bulldogs last weekend.
However, they have been dealt a forward line blow this week, losing Lindsay Thomas to suspension and Kayne Turner to injury. Brad Scott will be hoping their replacements can come in and continue to pile on enough goals to make it seven wins on the trot.
Andrew Swallow has lifted his output in recent weeks, bringing fanatical toughness to contested situations in order to feed the waves of outside runners the Roos thrive on. Daniel Wells was particularly sensational against the Bulldogs, and will no doubt have a big say in this clash.
St Kilda were irresistible last week in using their leg speed to full advantage, running behind the Melbourne defence to score at will. Nick Riewoldt again led the way, and is sure to cause problems for whichever unlucky defender is assigned the task of minding the St Kilda great.
There is a lot of intrigue surrounding younger Saints, who are slowly, but surely finding their feet and beginning to solidify themselves as senior contributors. This season we are starting to see the emergence of players such as Jack Lonie, Sebastian Ross and Blake Acres, the lattermost grabbing last week’s Rising Star nomination on the back of a best-on-ground performance against the Demons.
The Kangaroos currently house the oldest list in the league, but it is so far reaping them great benefits. After a career-best year in 2015, Jarrad Waite has remarkably improved again, arguably holding the title of the game’s best forward at the moment, sitting third on the Coleman table. If he can get a hold of Zac Dawson, he might sit first come Sunday night.
Both teams are familiar with the fast Etihad Stadium track which could result in yet another trademark North Melbourne shootout. The Saints are clearly still working on ways to progress further, but if there is one thing they’ve shown; it’s that their best is already mighty good. St Kilda come in fired up with a big chance of upsetting the favourites – but teams as experienced as North Melbourne rarely lose games they shouldn’t. Come the first bounce though, anything could happen.
PREDICTION
Can’t go against the Kangaroos just yet, they’ve been too good.
North Melbourne by 31 points.
Will the North Melbourne Kangaroos sail to seven straight wins or will the St Kilda Saints be the first team to drive them to defeat?
Join The Roar from 1:45pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage, and join in the discussion!
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