Coming off a narrow loss to Collingwood in the season opener, the Kangaroos were underdogs against a Cats’ side that had defeated Hawthorn.
But at half-time, North had shot out to a 35-point lead. Drew Petrie had caused all sorts of problems for the opposition defenders, kicking four first half goals.
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It was a departure from the role Petrie played when the sides met in 2012. On that evening, the vice-captain was the decoy forward, dragging Harry Taylor outside the defensive 50 and away from his customary role. The change-up worked well in combination with North’s precise ball movement.
12 goals from just 23 inside 50’s in the first half indicated the Kangaroos’ forward 50 working in perfect sync.
However it was Geelong who came out in the second half strongly and cut North’s lead quickly through more possession in the middle of the ground.
It was Lindsay Thomas’ turn to stand up when the team needed him. After the lead was trimmed to just 10 points, Thomas kicked two of the next three goals to extend the margin back to 26. But just as it seemed the game had settled, Geelong made another push and at the final change North led by just nine points.
It set the scene for one of the most bizarre sights of the year. With the roof open at Etihad Stadium, heavy showers poured onto the surface. Wet weather footy at an inside stadium was something none of the 34,152 people in attendance would have imagined earlier in the day.
In a thrilling finish, Geelong just edged North due to a controversial free kick and consequent 50 metre penalty and Jimmy Bartel goal. It was a cruel end for Brad Scott’s team.
Geelong 4.0.24, 6.4.40, 13.8.86, 16.16.112
North Melbourne 7.1.43, 12.3.75, 15.5.95, 17.6.108
Goals
Geelong: Christensen 3, Hawkins 3, Chapman 2, Motlop 2, Bartel 1, Caddy 1, Duncan 1, Lonergan 1, Podsiadly 1, Selwood 1
North Melbourne: Thomas 5, Petrie 4, Tarrant 2, Adams 1, Anthony 1, Atley 1, Bastinac 1, Mullett 1, Wells 1
