Last week: The heaviest loss of North’s season unseated it from top spot
The huge 79-point loss to Sydney had people questioning North Melbourne’s premiership credentials.
It meant the clash against Essendon at the MCG suddenly became a high-stakes affair, at least for opinions about the Roos’ side. North sat just a half-game ahead of the Bombers, who had been undefeated since Round 5 and were on a five-game winning streak.
“While they are, on position alone, a premiership threat, still people wonder: Are they over-reliant on their twin towers Carey and Corey (McKernan)? Is there any new dimension to the team that has been good, but not quite good enough, in the past two years?” – Richard Hinds, The Age
Much of the preview was centred around North’s credentials and, on paper at least, the contrast in styles between the two sides.
“Essendon will tend to hang around half-back and chip the ball from there. North, with a contrasting style, will play much longer and more direct and the pattern that emerges in games between these two sides often provides a fascinating spectacle.” – Geoff Poulter, Herald Sun
At least that was the case until the day of the game. Wet, cold and miserable conditions greeted those at the MCG for the highly anticipated clash, turning parts of the ground into nothing but mud and water.
The long and direct style of the Roos was suited to the slippery conditions, and they proceeded to jump out of the blocks with a six-goal first quarter. The quality of the football from both sides was exceedingly high considering the conditions, and it continued after the first break.
On several occasions it appeared North was about to kick away, but Essendon, still able to continue with its possession-based game, kept hanging around.
With the game in the balance during the last quarter, it was Glenn Archer who stood up. Moved forward, the Roo kicked three crucial last quarter goals to seal what was arguably the best win of the season so far.
Following the game, the Essendon coach was full of praise for Archer’s efforts.
“I’ll tell everybody now; don’t make any misjudgements about Archer. He kicked three in the last quarter that won them the game. I put it on the board; watch out for this man. He’s a very, very good player and the fourth best in the club.” – Kevin Sheedy
North’s victory, although it was its ninth of the year already, seemed to be the one which settled some of the external doubts about its capabilities.
“North finally produced a performance yesterday that justified its standing as the second best team of the first half of the season. North was entitled to feel better about itself last night; more enthusiastic and optimistic about its destiny during the next three months.” – Mike Sheahan, Herald Sun
“It was vital for the Roos, for it meant they banished the embarrassment of last week’s thrashing by Sydney, and prevented it from growing into the type of mid-season slump that has dogged them in recent years.” – Greg Baum, The Age
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Next week: A second trip west for the season, this time to face Fremantle at the WACA
Scores
North Melbourne: 6.3.39, 9.8.62, 11.9.75, 16.11.107
Essendon: 4.2.26, 7.4.46, 8.10.58, 14.11.95
NMFC changes
In: Scott Welsh, Anthony Dwyer
Out: Peter Bell, Mark Stevens
Goals
North Melbourne: Archer 3, Carey 3, Anderson 2, Daniltchenko 2, Roberts 2, Crocker 1, Freeborn 1, McKernan 1, Stevens 1
Essendon: Cockatoo-Collins 4, Cummings 2, Mercuri 2, Bewick 1, Cransberg 1, Daniher 1, Symons 1, Wallis 1, Wanganeen 1, Alessio 1
Brownlow Medal
3 – David King (North Melbourne), 2 – Darren Crocker (North Melbourne), 1 – Gavin Wanganeen (Essendon)
