Last week: A nailbiting win in the wet against Adelaide
The build-up to North’s clash against Geelong started at the AFL Tribunal early in the week.
Wayne Carey, Gary Ablett and Paul Couch all had to be cleared of charges to be free to play. They all pleaded not guilty and eventually were able to take their places in the respective line-ups.
Carey took a rarely seen route to defend himself.
“Carey took the unusual step of offering a statutory declaration in his evidence to clear himself of a boundary umpire’s charge of striking.
‘I made this declaration knowing the ramification of being under oath and I wish to demonstrate my passion and complete belief that I have been erroneously charged.’” – The Age, Greg Denham
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With the path clear to focus on the Friday night clash, most predicted North to get the victory against Geelong and maintain its top-two spot.
“North Melbourne should be a shade too steady for Geelong in their MCG night clash. The Cats are capable of upsetting the Roos but their form against Richmond last round was too poor to inspire confidence.” – Geoff Poulter, Herald Sun
“Geelong was spanked by Richmond last Saturday. Had the teams been playing cricket, the Tigers might have won outright with a day to spare. The Cats will be steeled for something better tonight, but…the tools to dismantle North do not appear to be at hand.” – Stephen Rielly, The Age
But it was apparent right from the outset under lights that it would be a close encounter.
17-year-old Steven King, the Geelong ruckman in just his 11th game, was able to have an influence against Corey McKernan. Meanwhile Garry Hocking, North’s long-time nemesis, was running riot and Gary Ablett was making the most of limited opportunities up forward.
But after falling behind by 19 points in the second quarter, North hit back with six of the next eight goals to re-take the lead early in the third.
Just as the Roos had all the momentum, the game tightened up again as Geelong hit back. Hocking continued to dominate and the Cats opened up a 21-point lead in the last term and then grimly held on for the victory.
“North refused to give up however, and charged back to add three goals in three minutes. That was as close as North got before Geelong surged back.” – Len Johnson, The Age
“Schoolboy ruckman Steven King performed a man-sized task to help steer Geelong to victory against North Melbourne at the MCG last night. The loss could cost North Melbourne the double chance in the finals as it hands Brisbane an opportunity to grab second place on the AFL ladder.” – Bruce Matthews – The Age
The loss left North in fourth position. For a top-two finish and a double chance, multiple results would have to go its way in Round 22.
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Next week: A must-win match against the Richmond to have any chance of a top-two finish
Round 21 v Geelong
North team changes
In: Armstrong, Fairley
Out: Gorman, M Stevens
North Melbourne: 2.5.17, 6.8.44, 10.10.70, 14.12.96
Geelong: 3.2.20, 8.3.51, 13.8.86, 16.13.109
Goals
North Melbourne: Anderson 2, Rock 2, Sholl 2, Allison 1, Bell 1, Daniltchenko 1, King 1, Schwass 1, Scott 1, A Stevens 1, D Stevens 1
Geelong: Ablett 3, Colbert 2, Hall 2, Stoneham 2, Tanner 2, Burns 1, Graham 1, Hocking 1, Lord 1, Sholl 1
Brownlow Medal
3 – Garry Hocking (Geelong), 2 – Derek Hall (Geelong), 1 – Wayne Schwass (North Melbourne)
