R7: North v Port review
Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 11:55 pmNorth Adelaide have ended Port Adelaide's unbeaten start to the season, coming away with an inspirational 24 point victory at Prospect today.
In what has been billed as a 'clash of the titans' matchup since the start of the season, the Roosters trailed by 16 points at 3/4 time, before storming home with a 7 goal to 1 last quarter to give the Roosters one of their best wins in years.
Both clubs were missing many key players, with the Roosters missing the likes of Nick Gill, Steven Koops, Darryl Wintle, Brett White, Daniel Hargraves, Clint Alleway and Kingsley Walker, whilst the Magpies were without Daniel Elstone, Julian Wait, Dane Fitzgerald, Paul Evans, Kyle Jenner, Gavin Wanganeen and had three of their best players from last week called to AFL action.
The first three quarters were tight but free flowing football. Neither side could get a decent break but it was the Magpies who led for much of that period. North Adelaide kicked the first two goals of the match but Port Adelaide responded by kicking 4 of the next 5 goals to lead by 8 points at the first change.
Clive Waterhouse and Dean Howard swapped goals for the first half of the second quarter, kicking two each before Port found a quick break thanks to Troy Butcher and Jared Poulton. North Adelaide pegged the gap back immediately with two quick goals of their own. The Magpies led by 9 points at the main change.
John Baird was having a day out at Centre Half Back, marking anything that came his way, whilst Ivan Maric, Shayne Biacsi and Clive Waterhouse were also good for the Magpies. Dean Howard was played up forward in the second quarter and was getting away from his opponent. He, along with Shaun Gatto, Chris Ladhams and Scott Bamford were keeping North Adelaide in the contest.
After Port kicked away to a four goal lead midway through the third quarter, a noticeable momentum swing took place and North Adelaide started to work back into the contest. The Magpies tried 4 times to clear the ball out of North Adelaides forward line with no luck, and Chris Ladhams goaled right on the 3/4 time siren to take the lead back to 16 points. North Adelaide had their inspiration.
The Roosters came out firing in the last quarter, choking Ports midfield whilst also completely shutting down their forward line. Shane Morrison couldnt get away from Shane Schubert, whilst first gamer Andrew Mcintyre completely blanketed the enigmatic Clive Waterhouse. Two goals in the opening minutes got them to within a kick, but Roc Harry stole the football and ran into an open goal to get the margin back out to 10 points.
From that point on it was all North Adelaide. The Roosters sensed the Magpies were in trouble and they were relentless in their attack and forward running with the ball. They found loose men running forward of the play with ease, with Chris Ladhams, Owen Weatherley and debutant Todd Pfieffer kicking goals. The Magpies barely had a chance to get back into the contest and North ran away with one of their best wins in some time.
Norths midfielders ran riot in the last half with the likes of Scott Bamford and Chris Ladhams strong along the wings. Luke Ivens was solid across half back whilst Owen Weatherley and Simon Cox provided strong targets up forward.
Port will be in search of some new tactics after their midfield and forward line completely shut down when it mattered most. As much as the loss of Scott Stevens, Jacob Surjan and Adam Kingsley threw out team balance, they cannot rely on AFL players to be there each week. Shane Morrison and Clive Waterhouse were dissapointing up forward in the last quarter, whilst Brett Ebert was unsighted for almost the whole last half. Jeremy Clayton was also well held and didnt have the same influence he usually has.
Marc Bullen and John Baird were best for the losers, with Bullen racking up disposals at will from half back to half forward, whilst John Baird was massive in the first three quarters.
In what has been billed as a 'clash of the titans' matchup since the start of the season, the Roosters trailed by 16 points at 3/4 time, before storming home with a 7 goal to 1 last quarter to give the Roosters one of their best wins in years.
Both clubs were missing many key players, with the Roosters missing the likes of Nick Gill, Steven Koops, Darryl Wintle, Brett White, Daniel Hargraves, Clint Alleway and Kingsley Walker, whilst the Magpies were without Daniel Elstone, Julian Wait, Dane Fitzgerald, Paul Evans, Kyle Jenner, Gavin Wanganeen and had three of their best players from last week called to AFL action.
The first three quarters were tight but free flowing football. Neither side could get a decent break but it was the Magpies who led for much of that period. North Adelaide kicked the first two goals of the match but Port Adelaide responded by kicking 4 of the next 5 goals to lead by 8 points at the first change.
Clive Waterhouse and Dean Howard swapped goals for the first half of the second quarter, kicking two each before Port found a quick break thanks to Troy Butcher and Jared Poulton. North Adelaide pegged the gap back immediately with two quick goals of their own. The Magpies led by 9 points at the main change.
John Baird was having a day out at Centre Half Back, marking anything that came his way, whilst Ivan Maric, Shayne Biacsi and Clive Waterhouse were also good for the Magpies. Dean Howard was played up forward in the second quarter and was getting away from his opponent. He, along with Shaun Gatto, Chris Ladhams and Scott Bamford were keeping North Adelaide in the contest.
After Port kicked away to a four goal lead midway through the third quarter, a noticeable momentum swing took place and North Adelaide started to work back into the contest. The Magpies tried 4 times to clear the ball out of North Adelaides forward line with no luck, and Chris Ladhams goaled right on the 3/4 time siren to take the lead back to 16 points. North Adelaide had their inspiration.
The Roosters came out firing in the last quarter, choking Ports midfield whilst also completely shutting down their forward line. Shane Morrison couldnt get away from Shane Schubert, whilst first gamer Andrew Mcintyre completely blanketed the enigmatic Clive Waterhouse. Two goals in the opening minutes got them to within a kick, but Roc Harry stole the football and ran into an open goal to get the margin back out to 10 points.
From that point on it was all North Adelaide. The Roosters sensed the Magpies were in trouble and they were relentless in their attack and forward running with the ball. They found loose men running forward of the play with ease, with Chris Ladhams, Owen Weatherley and debutant Todd Pfieffer kicking goals. The Magpies barely had a chance to get back into the contest and North ran away with one of their best wins in some time.
Norths midfielders ran riot in the last half with the likes of Scott Bamford and Chris Ladhams strong along the wings. Luke Ivens was solid across half back whilst Owen Weatherley and Simon Cox provided strong targets up forward.
Port will be in search of some new tactics after their midfield and forward line completely shut down when it mattered most. As much as the loss of Scott Stevens, Jacob Surjan and Adam Kingsley threw out team balance, they cannot rely on AFL players to be there each week. Shane Morrison and Clive Waterhouse were dissapointing up forward in the last quarter, whilst Brett Ebert was unsighted for almost the whole last half. Jeremy Clayton was also well held and didnt have the same influence he usually has.
Marc Bullen and John Baird were best for the losers, with Bullen racking up disposals at will from half back to half forward, whilst John Baird was massive in the first three quarters.
