There were plenty of talking points from North’s come-from-behind win over an impressive St Kilda outfit at a packed Blundstone Arena in Hobart.
North’s slow start to the clash at its sunny ‘home-away-from-home’ was a key focus of the media coverage from the game, with St Kilda’s inaccuracy in front of goal, in the second quarter in particular, a saving grace for the Roos.
AAP
“In the second phase the lacklustre Roos were largely absent from their 50 and if it had not been for repeated wayward kicking and fumbles, St Kilda would have established a more commanding advantage.”
AFL.com.au
“St Kilda completely controlled general play in the second term, pumping the ball inside their forward 50 22 times to North's five entries... Remarkably, they only won the term by 12 points. Their extravagance would bite them badly in the second half.” – Nick Bowen
Herald Sun
“In terms of the tale of the tape, North Melbourne’s first half was a horror movie and the second a blockbuster bestseller. ” – Bruce Matthews
It was the early Saints pressure having an impact on the Roos’ game plan, with an unusual kick-to-handball ratio for Brad Scott’s men.
AFL.com.au
“North started Saturday's game well enough, kicking the opening two goals of the game. But the Roos soon struggled to move the ball as the Saints upped their pressure all over the ground. North finished the quarter with just 36 kicks to 57 handballs, a ratio of 0.63 that is the second lowest of any team in a quarter so far this season.” – Nick Bowen
As shaky as the first half may have been, there was plenty to like about North’s nine goal third term, with four-goal hero Drew Petrie receiving plenty of applause for his best-on-ground performance.
AFL.com.au
“Nothing summed up the second-half transformation that came over Saturday's game like Drew Petrie's speccy at the 20-minute mark of the third term. One of North's few winners in a lacklustre first half that had it 20 points down at the main break, Petrie had just a minute earlier goaled to put the Roos within three points.
"And when he soared over Saints defenders Hugh Goddard and Sam Fisher, and clunked the ball with his arms stretched to their full height, it seemed North had woken from its first-half slumber.” – Nick Bowen
Herald Sun
“After a deplorable first half when they reeked of top eight fraud, the transformed Roos used the rest of a perfect sunny afternoon to illustrate the immense skill and slick ball movement that would unnerve any opponent in September...
"Scott’s men started the second half with a completely different mindset to the lacklustre and sloppy first two quarters and the scoreboard started ticking over with the renewed intensity.” – Bruce Matthews
Hobart again turned out in big numbers for the Roos’ third clash in the southernmost capital.
The Mercury
“At the chairman’s lunch, North Melbourne chairman James Brayshaw said the perfect conditions Hobart put on for the game were just one of many reasons why the club loved to come down, and why they are pushing to continue coming to the city.” – Simeon Thomas-Wilson
The festivities even extended to Sunday, with ten Kangaroos staying back an extra day to host a free clinic at North Hobart Oval.
The Mercury
“North Melbourne stars were kings of the kids at North Hobart Oval yesterday, as young Kangaroos fans turned out in numbers to meet and learn from their heroes.” – Simeon Thomas-Wilson
But it wasn’t all positive news from the trip to Hobart, with vice captain Jack Ziebell set to come under match review panel scrutiny for his hit on Jack Newnes.
AFL.com.au
“Ziebell caught Newnes high with a swinging right arm that put the Saint to the ground momentarily. However, Newnes was able to take his kick and, with the benefit of a 50m penalty, goaled to put the Saints 17 points up.” – Nick Bowen
The MRP findings will be known late on Monday.
