North thrash Double Blues

[sturtpeter]

In fantastic conditions North have thrashed Sturt by 62 points at Coopers' Stadium tonight.

Sturt led by two points at Quarter time but were outscored 17-13 to 8-3im the final three Quarters.

Final scores:

North 19-18 (132)
Sturt 11-4 (70)

Expect a sharp improvement at Murray Bridge next week.

[Wedgie]

Weird game, I thought we dominated the first half of the first quarter, Sturt dominated the 2nd half of the 1st quarter, we ran amok in the 2nd quarter, then Sturt outplayed us in the 3rd quarter with us slightly kicking away in the last quarter.
Interesting experiment with the 4 boundary umpires with them being able to call frees the field umpire couldn't see, I thought it worked quite well.

BUT for Christ's sake can someone explain the rules to the Sturt backmen that they have to take the ball on the fence for quick kick ins after points and that they can't use the ball that's in play no matter where it ends up, I thought they would have worked that out after our first 10 pts but still didn't seem to have a grasp on it after our 18th point, some bad communication somewhere along the way.

I thought North could have played a lot better, O'Hara was great in ruck and Weatherley is awesome at fullforward, still not sure about Hargs at CHB, even Feast got yards on him at times. Ladhams and Bamford were great although Ladhams still thinks that the other club won't work out he'll be turning onto his left everytime which caught him out a few times.

Other points of note, Koops did an awesome hip and shoulder on a Sturt player that got the Sturt player stretchered off, I think the damage was done when he hit the ground as it appeared a hip on hip bump (I have no idea why some people booed Koops after that, Im sure most Sturt fans at the game will back me up), and Kurzel for North did what appeared a knee 3 mins into the first quarter.

Very free flowing game between two handball happy sides.

Players who didn't play for North tonight:
B. White, C. Alleway, J. Coulter, S. Schubert, D.Wintle and S.Cox (plus Wakes played in the Magoos)

I only got there at 8pm but Sturt won the reserves against the reigning premier easily.

[drebin]

Straight kicking will help us improve - missed some "sitters" tonight - thankfully so for Sturt from their point of view - as the scoreboard flattered them in the end.

You add Brett White (DVC), Clint Alleway (CHF), J. Coulter HBF/Wing), S. Schubert (FB), D.Wintle (Capt) and S.Cox (CHB) -plus Wakelin played in the Magoos - an impressive few "outs" still to come in.

The only sad note was Nick Kurzel going down in the 3rd minute - as his player sponsor I went and spoke to him after 3/4 time - it was his good knee (Left) this time (he did his right knee 2 seasons ago) and he is out for the season.

[ORDoubleBlues]

Must admit that North certainly look the goods and I think that they will do quite well for themselves this season.
A shame for Kurzel but the Sturt player, who I am still not sure who it is, did not fare too well either after a punishing hip 'n shoulder from Steven Koops.
Weatherley is a big lad who I think will cause opposing backlines some grief and good to see one of the good stories of last year in Haseldine still going on with it this season. Also good to see Kaesler still hanging on for North but I can't see him being in their best 22.
Think Herring showed some good signs for us and looks to have put on a fair bit of size and I though Davies and Childs did some good things for us while not being outstanding.
Would appreciate some info from other Blues supporters on the backgrounds of some of our new players. Pretty sure Murphy played at Mt Barker last year.

[Wedgie]

Can I just add, it was nice to briefly catch up with ZipZap, also nice to have some banter with some Sturt fans who gave North a bit when the scores were close early in the 2nd quarter accusing North of lairising who we constantly reminded over the next 8 goals how good we were lairising. Is that how you spell it? lol

[sturtpeter]

Does anyone know who Number 47 for Sturt is?

Wasn't on our sheet.

Also O'Keefe's absence??

[ORDoubleBlues]

Does anyone know who Number 47 for Sturt is?

Wasn't on our sheet.

Also O'Keefe's absence??

Reckon it might have been Perri. He was definitely mentioned by sticks at three quarter time.

[Wedgie]

Reserves Score:

Sturt 9 10 64 d North 6 7 43

[Jimmy]

Straight kicking will help us improve - missed some "sitters" tonight - thankfully so for Sturt from their point of view - as the scoreboard flattered them in the end.

You add Brett White (DVC), Clint Alleway (CHF), J. Coulter HBF/Wing), S. Schubert (FB), D.Wintle (Capt) and S.Cox (CHB) -plus Wakelin played in the Magoos - an impressive few "outs" still to come in.

The only sad note was Nick Kurzel going down in the 3rd minute - as his player sponsor I went and spoke to him after 3/4 time - it was his good knee (Left) this time (he did his right knee 2 seasons ago) and he is out for the season.

thats a real shame for the kid, a real kick in the guts...id expect nick to want to come back again next year but it will be testing...

[Jimmy]

well, north for the flag then after reading the posts in here

[spell_check]

Straight kicking will help us improve - missed some "sitters" tonight - thankfully so for Sturt from their point of view - as the scoreboard flattered them in the end.

You add Brett White (DVC), Clint Alleway (CHF), J. Coulter HBF/Wing), S. Schubert (FB), D.Wintle (Capt) and S.Cox (CHB) -plus Wakelin played in the Magoos - an impressive few "outs" still to come in.

The only sad note was Nick Kurzel going down in the 3rd minute - as his player sponsor I went and spoke to him after 3/4 time - it was his good knee (Left) this time (he did his right knee 2 seasons ago) and he is out for the season.

North might need to sign up another player, in Kurzels' place.

[Jimmy]

Straight kicking will help us improve - missed some "sitters" tonight - thankfully so for Sturt from their point of view - as the scoreboard flattered them in the end.

You add Brett White (DVC), Clint Alleway (CHF), J. Coulter HBF/Wing), S. Schubert (FB), D.Wintle (Capt) and S.Cox (CHB) -plus Wakelin played in the Magoos - an impressive few "outs" still to come in.

The only sad note was Nick Kurzel going down in the 3rd minute - as his player sponsor I went and spoke to him after 3/4 time - it was his good knee (Left) this time (he did his right knee 2 seasons ago) and he is out for the season.

North might need to sign up another player, in Kurzels' place.

maybe wayne carey?

[Ian]

Weird game, I thought we dominated the first half of the first quarter,

But for little result on the score board

I thought North could have played a lot better,

They showed signs of playing great footy, but you're right, they looked like they have a lot more there, they just need to do it for 4 quarters.

Other points of note, Koops did an awesome hip and shoulder on a Sturt player that got the Sturt player stretchered off, I think the damage was done when he hit the ground as it appeared a hip on hip bump (I have no idea why some people booed Koops after that, Im sure most Sturt fans at the game will back me up), and Kurzel for North did what appeared a knee 3 mins into the first quarter.

That bump was sensational, as was Weatherly's presence in the forward line, I can't wait to see him on a bigger ground with more space.
Another highlight was Campbell's goal from the boandry in the Southern pocket.

Players who didn't play for North tonight:
B. White, C. Alleway, J. Coulter, S. Schubert, D.Wintle and S.Cox (plus Wakes played in the Magoos)

The only dilema, who goes down to the two's.

Can I just add, it was nice to briefly catch up with ZipZap, also nice to have some banter with some Sturt fans who gave North a bit when the scores were close early in the 2nd quarter accusing North of lairising who we constantly reminded over the next 8 goals how good we were lairising. Is that how you spell it?

I'd have to agree, North did lairise a bit at times, ending up in turnovers, but Jars does like them to back themselves and have a go, when it came off, it was sensational, but I can't wait for a full 4 1/4 effort, with a full squad on a larger ground, their best is still a fair way off yet.

[-]

The biggest trial game crowd ive seen for a while. 750-900 What do people think?

[RoostersRuleTheWorld !]

Great Win Cocks !

[ca]

I think the other 8 clubs are just going to be playing for the right to play North in the GF. They are going to kick some big scores by the sound of things.

[drebin]

I think the other 8 clubs are just going to be playing for the right to play North in the GF. They are going to kick some big scores by the sound of things.

Geez ca - you said that - no one is getting carried away at "chook land" and after all it was only a trial game (and I won't say it was only Sturt ). Naturally we are confident and our sights are set on a top 3 finish the end of the minor round - along way off yet, but with our improved list the expectations are reasonably high and why not? With a few first choice players still to come back and some fine tuning, the season has got off to a reasonable start but still along way to go.

Let's wait and see - no big predictions from me.

[Punk Rooster]

It's only a trial, let's wait for the real stuff to start- Centrals are still the team to beat for the flag. As a North supporter, it is hard not to feel positive about the coming season.
I thought Hargy read the play well at CHB, Owen didn't really look like he fired at all- scary thought for opposition, I can't wait to see him in a game where he dominates & tears them apart. The Campbells showed good leg speed, Ladhams played well (including his drop-kick goal), O'Hara looks like the player we've been missing. Bamford was damaging also, putting his thin frame on the line a few times, & Walker looks impressive.
Thug doesn't look like he's settled in yet, but it's only early- I look forward to seeing him in the thick of it regularly.

[zipzap]

It was a trial game so who knows how seriously to take the form by both sides (though some of the more Cooper-fied Rooster supporters on the Hill were taking it very seriously indeed) but North did look really impressive. Much more direct, not second-guessing, stronger and more confident generally. Sturt looked good in patches, particularly the first and third quarters. The biggest worry for me was the bombing under pressure into the forward lines - Chambo must be thinking 'here we go again'...

Players that stood tall:
Colreavy - took a nice grab, looked classy up forward.
Bowen - especially early on, was really trying to make a big impact, worked hard around ground.
Whiteman - as always
Peterson - in ruck, looks to be a handy replacement for Oli and will continue to improve.
Feast - like I thought last year he looks good in the forward lines. He was on pretty much all night - don't know how much he'll be able to take of that. Mind you he was only on Hargreaves so he didn't have much to do
Wicksy - kicking still a problem but worked hard.
Graham - looked superb early, a couple of clangers but great to see him back.

Some other comments:
Jarjoura did some great things, looks fitter and more switched on. Still overcooks the ball at times but is probably the best feeder to our forwards. Looked great on the ball in last quarter.
Squizzy looked like he's been on the Atkins(on) diet over the holidays, looks a bit bulky but the skills are still there.
Coady - played in defence, took a great grab, solid enough.
Chambers while not having a huge night out looked positive, took some one-grabbers and assisted in a few goals. Good signs.
Some of the newer players showed plenty of potential, particularly Herring and Bentley and to a lesser extent Davies & Murphy.

[sturtpeter]

I would have thought between 800 and 900 which considering all of the events on Friday night in Adelaide was great.

Disregard the final scores shown in today's Advertiser.

North did score 19-18 (132).

Hopefully Bevo and James McLeay will be back soon thus allowing Coad to play up forward.

All is not lost for the Blues. North are about 3 weeks ahead of us and with trials against the Bays and Bloods left we will be cherry ripe for the history making clash at Hamra Homes Oval.