Match Result

North Melbourne 16.9.105 def. Coburg 15.12.102

Player stats

AFL-listed
Tom Campbell (25 disposals, 38 hit-outs), Luke Davies-Uniacke (25 disposals, 1 goal), Sam Wright (19 disposals, 1 goal), Joel Crocker (14 disposals), Declan Watson (14 disposals), Tristan Xerri (14 disposals, 15 hit-outs, 1 goal), Curtis Taylor (13 disposals, 1 goal), Lachie Hosie (12 disposals, 3 goals), Ben McKay (12 disposals), Paul Ahern (10 disposals, 1 goal), Majak Daw (10 disposals), Tom Wilkinson (9 disposals, 1 goal), Red Og Murphy (3 disposals, 1 goal), Tom Murphy (2 disposals)

VFL-listed
Nick Rippon (28 disposals, 1 goal), Chris Jansen (27 disposals), Ryan Morrison (21 disposals), Nash Holmes (16 disposals), Dan Robinson (15 disposals), Brodie McLaughlin (11 disposals, 3 goals), Cameron Hodges (10 disposals), Ty Leonardis (10 disposals, 1 goal), Lewin Davis (4 disposals, 1 goal)

Recap

North Melbourne notched a memorable win on the road, edging Coburg in a three-point thriller on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts got off to a flyer, booting eight consecutive goals in the opening term, entering the first change with a 52-point buffer, having chalked up a total of nine goals to North’s one.

With their backs against the wall, the Roos entered the second quarter with plenty of work to do, stemming the flow with a patient and methodical approach, which slowly but surely gathered momentum.

The comeback kicked into gear courtesy of lively forward Taylor, who needed just over a minute after switching ends to make an impact on the game.

An eight goal second quarter followed, with an impressive spread of individual goal-scorers including contributions from the likes of Hosie, Ahern, Rippon and Holmes, getting North within reaching distance of the lead at half-time.

Coburg returned from the main break with a sense of urgency, booting four goals kicking with the wind and increasing its lead to 17 points at the last change.

But the game was turned on its head in the dying minutes, as North snatched the lead for the first time, with VFL-listed youngster Davis ending the day an unlikely hero, cooly slotting one home with just seconds remaining.

Dominant tall Campbell offered up another powerful and robust presence, having accumulated 25 disposals and 38 hit-outs.

Davies-Uniacke was also a handy presence in midfield, combining with VFL-listed ball-magnet Rippon to secure 25 possessions, before moving forward in the fourth quarter.

Hosie booted three goals from a variety of positions, while VFL-listed Brodie McLaughlin was unlucky to not have bested his teammate, with the wind compromising the prospect of a potential bag.

In another highlight, Irish-born Murphy booted his first goal in front of his parents who arrived in Australia to watch him play Australian Rules for the first time.

What the coach said

“It was really pleasing after quarter time,” David Loader told North Media.

“We got so much wrong early. It was really disappointing because it was all stuff that we addressed pre-game. We went away from what we knew worked for us and that’s what you get.

“It’s a real shot in the arm when you can come back and basically come from nine goals behind to get up and win. It was really pleasing, they showed good spirit, especially after quarter-time.

“I think we just went back to what we do well. We spoke about not rushing, slowing the game down a bit, and just trying to build our score and work from there.

“The boys had a really clear vision of what was going to work and what wasn’t.

“We spoke about representing the jumper and what we stand for. I think it’s really important that we can show that and we’ve got to be able to live these qualities, which we did today.”

Best of AFL

Sam Wright

The 29-year-old played a key role in limiting Coburg’s forward six in the second half.

Wright’s composure proved crucial, working effectively with the aerially dominant pair, Ben McKay and Majak Daw, offering polished distribution by hand and foot.

“Sam was so influential early on,” added Loader.

“We had a number of good players after quarter time, but Sam was the one that played terrifically under siege in the first quarter.

“He kept us in the game and I was really pleased for him.”

Wright finished his day with 19 possessions and a goal, the latter coming just minutes before the main break.

Best of VFL

Nick Rippon

Rippon’s stocks continues to rise, proving himself yet again as one of the most consistent performers in the royal blue and white stripes.

The tireless midfielder continues to lift with each week, this time posting 28 disposals, playing a prominent role after moving further afield.

“He’s a very good player that kid,” said Loader.

“Nick was terrific again and played a really solid game for us across four quarters. We always know what we’re going to get from him.

“Brodie McLaughlin was another one today. He looked really dangerous up forward.”