Last week: A narrow loss to fellow premiership contenders the Brisbane Bears
After losing to the Bears, North had relinquished top spot on the AFL ladder and now faced a challenging trip to Adelaide.
Since the Crows entered the competition five years previously, the Roos had never won at Football Park in four previous attempts, with defence the problem.
“North has never been able to beat Adelaide at Football Park which would no doubt send the wind up the Roos regardless of how badly the Crows are going. The fact that (Adelaide) has been competitive with both Geelong and Essendon in Melbourne up until three quarter time in recent weeks does augur well for the Crows.” – Anthony Mithen, The Age
Click to enlarge
But when Saturday night arrived in Adelaide, the weather was dreadful. High winds and sweeping rain meant the contest was always going to be a low scoring one.
Once any benefit of the dry ball was erased after a nine-goal first quarter, the match became a tightly contested slog.
The little things would end up proving crucial; moments like David King’s two goals in as many minutes before half-time, which gave North a 13-point edge at the long break.
Then it was Peter Bell’s goal late in the third quarter, against all the run of play, which allowed the visitors to stay in touch with a term to go.
Wayne Carey’s first goal of the match came within minutes of the last quarter start, and it would prove to be the only major of the term as North held on grimly amidst controversy to its double chance with two rounds to go.
“North Melbourne, hampered by several goal mouth umpiring decisions, last night hung grimly to a six-point lead to break its Football Park hoodoo and retain a double chance position.
“Dubious decisions, with Archer not receiving a free kick when held without the ball and big man Mark Roberts being tripped without earning a free, reinforced North’s discontent over the work of the men in white.” – John Weatherhead, Herald Sun
“Carey was reported for striking Adelaide’s Jason McCartney during North Melbourne’s fighting 10-point win. It seemed the winner of this game would be the team that could find that extra edge, no matter how small, as the conditions were tough and the intensity full-on.
“North Melbourne is the team with the best chance of keeping the premiership cup in Victoria and it displayed many of its qualities in this fantastic game: a blend of skills, courage and self belief.” – Ashley Porter, The Age
Click to enlarge
Next week: A blockbuster Friday night clash against Geelong at the MCG
Round 20 v Adelaide
North team changes
In: Anderson, Gorman, M Stevens
Out: Fairley (concussion), Armstrong, Freeborn
North Melbourne: 4.2.26, 8.5.53, 9.9.63, 10.16.76
Adelaide: 5.1.31, 6.5.41, 10.7.67, 10.10.70
Goals
North Melbourne: Archer 2, Bell 2, King 2, Carey 1, Daniltchenko 1, Rock 1, Sholl 1
Adelaide: D Jarman 2, McLeod 2, Modra 2, Robran 2, A Jarman 1, Liptak 1
Brownlow Medal
3 – Anthony Rock (North Melbourne), 2 – Wayne Schwass (North Melbourne), 1 – Matthew Liptak (Adelaide)
