When I looked up at the score with about five minutes to go in this game, I kind of felt it wasn’t fair. It just wasn’t a reflection of how the game felt.
At that stage, it felt like the Dogs may blow the lead out to ten goals, such was the level of their play. The Roos managed to hang on, and the final margin was 49-points. If you looked at that margin in isolation, you may be forgiven for thinking that the Dogs had their own way for the majority of the contest.
That was not the case.
After a two-goal start to the Western Bulldogs, the Kangaroos found their groove. Buoyed by a pre-match rev-up from legendary coach, Denis Pagan, North matched them for strength in the contest and scoreboard impact. Nick Larkey kicked four first-quarter goals, and whilst that was matched with a blistering second quarter from Aaron Naughton, it was clear that the Dogs had a real fight on their hands as we headed into the main break.
That said, it was also apparent that there was a distinct gap in class between the two clubs, and in the end, that was what made the difference. Losing Luke Davies-Uniacke didn’t halp matters much for North, but just looking at the way the last quarter played out – Bont picking up nine touches, Darcy kicking three goals, and Ed Richards taking the game on – the team from the Mighty West had too many top-enders for the Roos to handle.
Time to get into the nitty-gritty from this one. Plenty to take away for both teams, as we jump into The Mongrel’s Big Questions.
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