HEARTBREAK IN HOBART by George in the Outer

[Demonland 71,256]

In the end it all came down to a hurried kick from Billy Stretch that slipped to the right of the goal post instead of the left.  Had it gone the other way it would have been an ecstatic response from the Demon fans.  But it was not to be, and they faced yet another heartbreaking loss.

Not to say that the result could have so easily gone the other way as in the dying minutes, opportunities were squandered or lost….Vandenberg missing an easy snap, Watts passing instead of kicking for goal, the umpires failing to award an obvious mark to Harmes. 

But in a game defined by a strong wind to one end of the ground, the Demons just didn’t take those same opportunities all around the ground and in the preceding 95 minutes of football as well.

It was a game of contrast.  North had a 7 goal lead in the first quarter before Melbourne registered their first major.  In recent times, that would have been the end of a Melbourne side, heads would have dropped and a further blow-out to be expected. 

But with the wind at their back in the second quarter the Demons responded and 9 goals saw them hit the front by the main break.  When was the last time that this team kicked 9 goals in a quarter?

Belief was back, but again with the wind, North were able to slam on another 7 of their own in the third, with the Demons kicking 3 to keep the game well and truly in sight for the final quarter.

And a slog to the finish line it was.  The Demons added another 6 goals but allowed North 4 against the wind.  Dean Kent atoned for his appalling performance last week and put the side within 5 points and only 20 seconds on the clock.  Again the mids won the contest and gave the team the chance.  It was not to be.

Importantly, this young side learnt some good lessons:

·         A game is never over until the final , no matter how far behind you may  be.

·         Seconds count

·         Turnovers are critical, especially in the way the game is being played in 2016.

·         Each and every week you must play at 100%

·         There are no easy games.

The contrast with the efforts and inputs from the previous week were stark.  While the first quarter would have had Demons supporters saying something along the lines of “here we go again” or “all words and no action”, the second quarter erased those doubts. 

Likewise, this week the coaching staff must be commended for keeping a team 5 goals down after a single quarter enthused and eventually to lead at half time.

And credit to Max Gawn.  Pre-season he came out and said he wanted to set the standard, and the standard was Todd Goldstein.  63 hit-outs in an AFL match is unheard of.  Especially against the best ruckman in the league.  Goldstein kicked 5 goals ( although 1 was another howler free given by the umpires), but Max kicked 2 of his own, and had 17 contested possessions!.  It was an exciting contest to watch all day.  Probably neither beat the other on the day, but Max staked his claim to be at least the equal. 

Clayton Oliver showed once again why our recruiters thought him so valuable.  26 touches and 13 contested possessions from an 18 year old was something to be excited about.  Let’s hope he doesn’t tire too soon during the season.

Final comments…..when are we  going to put a solid tag on Brent Harvey when playing North?  It’s not that he is a brilliant player, but he just keeps getting touches and uncontested marks without a Demon player within cooee of him.  6 goals this week. …..what was the final margin?

Bernie will probably face a nervous day as the MRP looks at an incident in the 3^rd quarter.  While we might be without him, there are probably 2 players at Casey ( AB and CP) itching to fill a hole in the middle. 

Collingwood next week, and what a chance to alleviate this weeks heartache.  Let’s not fluff the chance 2 weeks in a row.

NORTH MELBOURNE    8.2   10.4   17.7   21.10  (136)
MELBOURNE    2.2   11.5   14.7   20.11  (131)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Harvey 6, Goldstein 5, Waite 4, Petrie 2, Gibson 2, Ziebell, Macmillan
Melbourne: Kent 4, Watts 3, Hogan 3, Oliver 2, Gawn 2, Jones, vandenBerg, Dunn, Tyson, Harmes, Viney

BEST
North Melbourne: Harvey, Goldstein, Waite, Ziebell, Cunnington
Melbourne: Vince, Viney, Oliver, Gawn, Hogan, Kent

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Taylor Garner (hamstring)
Melbourne: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Nicholls, Kamolins, Ryan

Official crowd: 12,607 at Blundstone Arena