Coming off a defeat in which Denis Pagan bemoaned his side’s performance, the pressure was on the Kangaroos to bounce back.
Despite the familiar surroundings of the MCG awaiting, the challenge was a tough one.
Adelaide was the only undefeated side heading into Round 5. It had scored the most points, conceded the least and possessed a remarkable percentage of 199.3.
Unsurprisingly it was receiving praise from all corners.
“Carlton and Richmond won their first four last year, yet the Adelaide sequence (in 1996) has been even more authoritative.” – Mike Sheahan, Herald Sun
“Adelaide has the pace, skill and poise to upset North Melbourne in the clash of the two top sides at the MCG.” – Geoff Poulter, Herald Sun
The scene was set for a high-quality encounter and it delivered.
The first quarter saw 13 goals – six to North and seven to the visitors. Goals continued to flow freely throughout the first three quarters and there was little clue as to what would come next.
It was an avalanche of goals from the Kangaroos, coming from everywhere on the MCG.
“The difference in the end was North’s two giant superstars, Corey McKernan and Wayne Carey.
“McKernan had 17 kicks and booted 4.6 while Carey was dynamic in the final quarter with two of his five-goal haul.” – Rod Nicholson, Herald Sun
“It was a good day for North, overcoming a tardy start, building momentum and exploding in a shower of goals that you would expect of a premiership aspirant.” – Rohan Connolly, The Age
Eight of the first nine goals of the quarter went to the home side, turning a two-point lead into 45 and killing the game as a contest.
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Carey’s five goals took him to 20 for the year, drawing praise from Denis Pagan.
“He (Carey) has got 4 or 5 blokes hanging off him every time he goes near the ball and we are thrilled with his performances," he said.
“He really leapt at the ball in that final quarter and he now has 20 goals in five games, which isn’t bad."
However the man himself wasn’t as happy.
“I haven’t done anything outstanding this year. So hopefully, if I can continue to have those steady games I can pull out a crackerjack one soon.”
North’s win left it as one of five teams with four wins; surrounded by Brisbane, Adelaide, Geelong and Carlton.
Next Week: North faces Geelong for the first time since its 1995 qualifying final victory
North Melbourne: 6.3.39, 9.6.60, 15.10.100, 23.14.152
Adelaide: 7.1.43, 11.5.71, 15.8.98, 17.11.113
NMFC changes
In: Bradley Plain (NMFC debut), Keenan Reynolds
Out: Jason Daniltchenko, Mark Roberts
Goals
North Melbourne: Carey 5, McKernan 4, Sholl 3, Simpson 3, A Stevens 3, Allison 1, Blakey 1, Freeborn 1, Plain 1, Scott 1
Adelaide: Modra 5, D Jarman 3, Bickley 1, Caven 1, Ellen 1, A Jarman 1, Koster 1, Liptak 1, McLeod 1, Ricciuto 1, Robran 1
Brownlow Medal
3 – Corey McKernan (North Melbourne), 2 – Matthew Liptak (Adelaide), 1 – Anthony Stevens (North Melbourne)
