Last week: Another Carey special as North won its third in a row at the MCG
The week started in a slightly unusual way for the Kangaroos. Instead of preparations for Brisbane beginning in home comforts, the playing list was whisked up to Sydney for Monday and Tuesday.
“North Melbourne will fly a 25-player squad to Sydney this morning for a two-day training session at the SCG in a move brought about because of Melbourne’s continued wet weather and in particular the boggy conditions of the Arden Street Oval.
“It is a calculated risk to just pack up and leave,” said Denis Pagan,“but it is important for us to get on to a firm surface for a couple of days. It will also be good for team spirit for the blokes to lift their weights together and to spend more time together so early in the week.” – Ashley Browne, The Age
Against a Bears’ outfit which was well-regarded – and also coming off a win at Princes Park the previous week – opinions were divided on which side would end up victorious.
“North Melbourne is closer to full strength and that should give it the edge against Brisbane at Optus Oval.” – Geoff Poulter, Herald Sun
“The Bears match up well on the ladder-leader, with (Richard) Champion on (Wayne) Carey, (Clark) Keating to run with (Corey) McKernan and their pacey forward line a chance to worry North’s sometimes sluggish defence.” – Charles Happell, The Age
Of course, it was the first time the two sides had met since Brisbane’s merger with Fitzroy was announced, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the meeting.
While North had been a free-flowing, high-scoring side in previous weeks, it was quickly apparent that this match would not unfold that way.
On a sunny, albeit windy day, there were only two goals each in the first term and scoring hardly increased its rate for the rest of the afternoon.
At three-quarter-time, the margin was only five points Brisbane’s way. Then came the contentious coaching move which became a talking point.
“With the Bears clinging to a five-point advantage, the Roos pulled captain Wayne Carey and rugged Glenn Archer from the forward set-up and sent them to the backline.” – Bruce Matthews, Herald Sun
“I dare say if I see them down there I think we’ve got them in a bit of trouble. To see them down there was pleasing. We could see what they were going to try to do, run the ball out. But we felt then we had them in a spot of bother.” – Brisbane coach John Northey
Perhaps in part due to the lack of focal points up forward, the Bears finished much the stronger. The 18-point victory was their second in a row against North.
“That’s not the end of the world by any stretch of the imagination. We’re a competitive side and on our day we’re capable of beating anybody else, and I suppose that’s how close the competition is. The competition is very even and very tight – there is a fine line between success and failure.” – Denis Pagan
The loss took North out of top spot and down to second, a half-game behind Sydney and only a half-game ahead of the surging Bears.
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Next week: North looks to get back on track with a tricky trip to Adelaide
Round 19 v Brisbane
North team changes
In: Daniltchenko, M Roberts, Freeborn
Out: Crocker (back), Anderson, M Stevens
North Melbourne: 2.4.16, 3.5.23, 6.8.44, 8.11.59
Brisbane: 2.2.14, 5.5.35, 7.7.49, 11.11.77
Goals
North Melbourne: Carey 3, Archer 2, Armstrong 1, McKernan 1, Sholl 1
Brisbane: Leppitsch 4, White 2, Ashcroft 1, Fletcher 1, Hart 1, McAdam 1, McIvor 1
Brownlow Medal
3 – Adrian Fletcher (Brisbane), 2 – Shaun Hart (Brisbane), 1 – Michael Voss (Brisbane)
