The average age of North’s side was 25 years and 202 days and the average games played was 114. Two years on and it’s a much different story with the Kangaroos’ average age just 23 years, 154 days and the average amount of games played is just 63.
Last week Brad Scott had nine players in the team with less than 20 games, compare that to that Saturday night in 2008 when the figure was just three.
Big man David Hale set the Roos off on the right foot with a goal in the opening two minutes, but there was controversy shortly after when Daniel Pratt was reported for a big hit on Josh Fraser. The Collingwood big man kicked the Pies first, and Pratt was suspended for a week.
Experienced heads came to the fore shortly after with Harvey and Brown combining before Simpson kicked a captain's goal to put his team eight points clear. Daniel Wells almost pulled down mark of the year, and Nathan Thompson booted his 310th career goal to help North to a handy lead. But a late goal from the dangerous Alan Didak put Collingwood back in touch.
Scott Pendlebury and Dale Thomas provided an early spark in the second term and it wasn’t long before the Pies were back on level pegging.
Excitement machine Matt Campbell and Lindsay Thomas were in the early stages of their careers, but it didn’t stop the pair having a big impact. Campbell put the Roos back in front after a fantastic roving effort and Thomas’ pinpoint pass resulted in a goal to Corey Jones and an 11-point buffer.
Former Docker Paul Medhurst was in career-best form and the 26 year-old booted two goals in quick succession to give his side the lead. Some Leon Davis brilliance followed and Collingwood had well and truly gained the ascendency going into half-time with a 15-point lead.
North was desperate for a spark following the main change and Nathan Thompson was the man to provide it with a towering pack mark. Pratt’s bravery was on show too, the tough defender diving in front of an oncoming opponent to set the tone for his teammates.
Wells and Grant combined for the Roos eighth and when Lindsay Thomas bobbed up for another spectacular goal, North took an unlikely lead. But as it had done all night, the game took another turn when Fraser kicked truly nearing three quarter time.
Medhurst continued his dominance in the final term and when he kicked his fourth, the game looked all but over with the Magpies skipping out to a 17-point lead.
Lindsay Thomas had other ideas though and after a terrible miss minutes earlier, the 20 year-old showed composure, booting two goals to put the game back in the balance.
Goals to Grant and Ed Lower put North nine points clear, but it wasn’t until a Didak miss in the dying seconds that the result became clear.
Fittingly, Campbell provided the match winning goal not long after to cap off a memorable win.
Check out all the highlights by pressing the play button at kangaroos.com.au
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