With the exception of one quarter, North Melbourne’s clashes against the Western Bulldogs have been low scoring affairs over the last two seasons.
In the last 12 quarters between the sides, only one has seen either side kick five goals or more.
The two games in 2016 saw almost identical final scores, with the sides splitting the results; in Round 6 it was North who triumphed, 9.7.61 to 6.9.45, then in Round 20 the Bulldogs were victorious, 9.7.61 to 7.5.47.
Countering the opposition
Following the Round 20 clash, Brad Scott offered an indicator as to why recent matches had been low scoring.
“You counter each other pretty well, so you end up butting heads for a portion of the game,” Scott explained.
“Both teams endeavour to play a pretty exciting brand of footy but they’re pretty good at stopping what the other is good at.
“We tried to break the game open a little bit more, and potentially that was to our detriment because we didn’t defend it quite as well.”
North’s tall forwards, often the team’s strength, were a key part of the Bulldogs’ planning. Numerous extra defenders were dropped in front of the likes of Ben Brown, Jarrad Waite and Drew Petrie at various stages of the 2016 games.
From the Roos’ perspective, it aimed to stop the Bulldogs’ run and carry out of the defensive half with those extra numbers, setting up well behind the ball to stem the flow.
Those factors made for two clashes last season with tight margins. In the first game it was North’s talls overcoming the numbers, and later in the year, the Bulldogs countering well – in Round 20 they had 84 less disposals but 14 more inside 50’s.
A different look
The respective changes in personnel and game style may mean we’re in for a different looking game on Good Friday.
The Bulldogs’ acquisition of Travis Cloke has given the reigning premiers another key position target up forward, while the return of Stewart Crameri – if he is deemed fit to play – makes for another option who can play as a marking tall.
Combine it with the new no third man up rule, and North’s opponent this week have been playing a slightly different style early in 2017.
In 2016 the Bulldogs were beating sides based on advantages from contested possession, inside 50 differential, clearances and time in forward half. While it’s a small sample size so far this year, only three rounds in, those advantages have been minimised.
Some of that has been due to how opponents have played against the Bulldogs. For instance, in Round 1 Collingwood’s high press saw it caught over the back numerous times, conceding eight goals from less than 30 metres out.
There won’t be an opportunity for repeat inside 50’s or extra time in your forward half when one entry will get you a high quality scoring chance.
But nevertheless, the last fortnight has seen teams take it right up to the Bulldogs at their own game. Ross Lyon said as much in his post-match media conference last weekend, noting Fremantle’s tackling and pressure was key to the victory.
That tackling and pressure is two elements North is priding itself on in 2017. At times – the first half against West Coast and the first three quarters against Geelong in particular – it has been of a high quality.
The challenge ahead for the Roos is maintaining it for four quarters. That’s what is required to knock off a quality team on Good Friday.
