An interesting comparison to the victory over the Swans is the loss against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in Round 11, 2013.
North was coming off a convincing win at Etihad Stadium before travelling to the Sunshine State. Upon arrival at Metricon it was greeted with torrential rain.
After a first quarter burst by the visitors, Gold Coast thoroughly controlled the game. The lasting impression of the evening was Trent McKenzie roaming a kick behind the play, cutting off any Kangaroos’ forward thrusts and sending the ball back with purpose.
McKenzie had 10 intercept possessions and 6 intercept marks as North kicked just three goals for the better part of the last three quarters, and in the end it was only good defending which kept the final margin to 16 points.
While North made a late change, replacing Majak Daw with Will Sierakowski, it was tough for the left-footer to get involved in the game.
Predominantly an outside player, conditions didn’t suit Sierakowski when he was introduced into the game as a substitute, and he had minimal influence.
So a little less than 12 months on, North travelled up to the SCG prepared for a wet-weather slog. Previous encounters in similar conditions were undoubtedly on spectator’s minds as the Roos entered the game as firm underdogs.
Once again there was a late change. This time Daniel Currie was the unlucky man to make way, the ruckman replaced by Robin Nahas 90 minutes before the bounce.
However Nahas is the type of player who relishes the greasy conditions. Able to implement all sorts of pressure in North’s forward half, he instantly made an impact. With 10 possessions and a goal in the first quarter, he played a large part in setting the tone for his new team.
As a small-forward, his early tackling and pressure around the ball carrier allowed him to soccer a goal through from the square. While he was substituted with cramp at three quarter-time, he had played his role with 17 possessions, 4 tackles and 1 goal for the game.
The second flashpoint occurred during the second quarter. After North had made a strong start, Sydney started to control the momentum. The Swans enjoyed 57 per cent of the quarter in their forward half, an extremely high number over a whole term.
However it was apparent the Kangaroos had learnt the value of loose defenders and used that knowledge to great effect. Over the first half Scott Thompson had eight intercept possessions, backed up by Luke McDonald with five and Levi Greenwood and Lachlan Hansen with four apiece.
Interestingly, two of Thompson’s three intercept marks for the day came directly from the boot of Lance Franklin; a clear indicator of how the All-Australian full back refused to get sucked into the rolling maul at the fall of the ball.
North managed to absorb the Sydney pressure, only conceding one goal in the second term and heading into the rooms ahead by six points. Able to regroup, the side came out in the third quarter and was able to re-establish the game on their own terms and slowly pulled away from Sydney.
So with previous outings in the memory, as well as the addition of new blood in the coaches box, Brad Scott’s team was able to draw on the past to secure an important win.
