North Melbourne is just one win away from earning a berth in the AFL Grand Final for the first time since 1999 after defeating the Swans on Saturday night.
The Kangaroos’ 26-point win was significant given the heavy defeat the side had a year earlier.
The Age
“A year to the day since they'd met at the same venue, this was deja vu in reverse. Pressure had undone North Melbourne in the 2014 preliminary final – relentless, incessant, trademark Swans pressure. On Saturday night, the boot was on the other foot.” - Peter Hanlon
The Herald Sun
“Gritty and resilient in a low-scoring September slog on foreign soil, this was a Kangaroos unit that refused to wilt in the Sydney furnace.
“Twelve months to the day since they were embarrassingly booted from the finals at the same stadium, the Kangas exacted revenge against Sydney in the most impressive fashion.
“But this North side, flying under the radar for much of the season, is standing up to be counted when it counts most. Gee, they were hard.” - Sam Edmund
North won its first interstate final and also became the first side to make a preliminary final from eighth spot and gained plenty of fans along the way.
The Herald Sun
“This was a 26-point win dripping in maturity.
“In last year’s preliminary final the Swans took a staggering 27 marks inside their attacking arc — the most in the 2014 finals series. Last night, North Melbourne won that stat 15-7.
“It was different, very different, but one thing remains the same — North Melbourne is into another preliminary final.” – Sam Edmund
The likes of Ben Cunnington and Jack Ziebell hailed for their work at the coalface.
The Herald Sun
“Ben Cunnington was a colossus, winning the ball, feeding the ball and driving his side on. He had 29 possessions and eight clearances, but an immeasurable amount of determination.
“Next to him, Jack Ziebell was like a rock. He had 25 disposals, eight clearances, eight tackles and nine inside 50s. They were ridiculous numbers.
“The pair of them not only drove their side forward, but they combined to keep Sydney warhorse Josh Kennedy to a paltry four kicks and 55 per cent disposal efficiency by halftime.” – Sam Edmund
“This bloke (Cunnington) is the best exponent of the handball in the comp, so much so that umpires often ping him for throwing when in fact it’s classic sleight of hand. His numbers were strong against Kennedy as well.” – Mark Robinson.
Brad Scott’s decision to play more than one negating role also praised.
The Herald Sun
“Ben Jacobs was again like a dog with a bone. Trent Cotchin last week, Dan Hannebery on Saturday night.
“Jacobs kept Hannebery to only eight possessions in the first hour. Kayne Turner, a late replacement for Robbie Nahas, went to Rhyce Shaw and suffocated him. Sam Gibson went with Lewis Jetta, winning that contest so comprehensively Jetta was subbed off in the third quarter. It meant the Swans’ movement was reduced to a standstill.” – Sam Edmund
Jarrad Waite turned in another stunning finals performance and Drew Petrie was warrior-like with his attack on the ball.
The Herald Sun
“The pair combined for 18 marks — seven contested — and were telling in a contest that missed Lance Franklin and Sam Reid at the other end.” – Sam Edmund
The Age
“North's preparedness to put body on the line was at times uncomfortable to watch, no less than when Petrie marked on his chest at full tilt with the game already won, knowing full well that Gary Rohan was coming the other way. Both were slow to get up, but Petrie was back with his bloodied head bandaged to see the job through.” - Peter Hanlon
Some have highlighted Brent Harvey’s rejuvenation since being handed the sub vest in Round 15.
The Age
“Harvey has since responded by coming on strong in the second half of the year, and that continued on Saturday when the 37-year-old kicked another clutch goal and had 16 disposals in an efficient display matched against Swan Ben McGlynn in a physical tussle.” – Matt Murnane
The Roos now come up against a rampaging West Coast outfit and there’s been plenty of team selection discussion.
The Age
“With Drew Petrie confident of recovering from leg soreness in time for Saturday night's blockbuster against West Coast, and key defender Robbie Tarrant looking likely to re-enter the team, the Roos seem destined to cut at least one player and possibly two from the side that beat Sydney – setting up another September hard-luck story.” – Matt Murnane
The odds will be against North, but the team won its last encounter with the Eagles in Hobart.
“If North Melbourne can get off to a decent start, taking the home crowd out of the equation and causing some nervousness in the opposition, an upset here is feasible.” – Rohan Connolly
“That North looked the winner for much of the night shouldn't mask how hard they toiled to get it, absorbing a third-quarter Sydney resurgence to reach the last four in a manner that will harden their belief that they can go to Perth next weekend a nothing-to-lose challenger, and come back a grand finalist.
“At the end they saluted their travelling fans and left as one, just as they'd played. The "Spirit" lives to fight another day.” – Peter Hanlon
The battle between two of the best ruckmen in the AFL has already set tongues wagging.
The Herald Sun
“On Saturday night, Nic Naitanui and Todd Goldstein will put an exclamation point on a golden year for AFL ruckmen.
North Melbourne’s Goldstein has just ticked over 1000 hitouts for 2015 and West Coast’s Naitanui has redefined the role of the ruckman.” – Jon Ralph
Again there’s talk about the availability of midfielder Daniel Wells.
The Age
“Whether Roos play-maker Daniel Wells can get his body to the point where he could also reclaim a spot – and whether the club takes the gamble on him possibly as the substitute – will create another key storyline this week as North try to become the first non-West Australian team to win a preliminary final in Perth.” - Matt Murnane
