SANFL 2016: North Adelaide claim 28-point win over West Adelaide

THIS time last year, North Adelaide had a 1-5 record and was embarking on the worst season in its history and West Adelaide was 5-1 on its way to ending a 32-year flag drought.

North’s Jay Shannon is tackled by West Adelaide’s Jack Agostino. Photo: Matt Turner.

THIS time last year, North Adelaide had a 1-5 record and was embarking on the worst season in its history and West Adelaide was 5-1 on its way to ending a 32-year flag drought.

How things have changed.

Seven matches into their 2016 campaign, the Bloods are still searching for a win after losing to the Roosters by 27 points at Richmond Saturday.

West was five points ahead at half-time on the back of a six-goal second term but its defensive pressure dropped in the third and the visitors lifted to kick 7.7 to 1.3 in a period that ultimately decided the game.

North now has three wins — two more than the whole of last season — and looks a much more spirited, skilled and defensively-minded outfit under new coach Josh Carr.

“They’ve been building each week and they’re learning every week, which is the great thing about the playing group I’ve got,” Carr said.

“The pleasing thing today was to have a response from the players when you get challenged. To come out in the third quarter and kick seven goals was a pretty good effort.”

Carr said the club, which also pushed a red-hot Adelaide last week, was “moving up” but not looking too far ahead.

Jordie McKenzie (34 disposals, 14 clearances, two goals) worked tirelessly for the Roosters, while Tom Schwarz (27 disposals, seven tackles) showed his value as a mid-season recruit from the Eagles.

For West, captain Chris Schmidt (game-high 39 disposals, nine marks) was a clear standout.

“It’s probably our most disappointing loss because we invested a lot in it,” Bloods coach Mark Mickan said.

Mickan said the club would continue to pick its best side but admitted its depth was shallow.

SCOREBOARD

West Adelaide 2.1 8.1 9.4 11.7 (73)

North Adelaide 4.6 6.8 13.15 14.16 (100)

BEST – North: McKenzie, Liston, Hender, Schwarz, Motlop, J. Craig, Harvey.

West: Schmidt, Stevens, O’Brien, Schiller.

GOALS – North: Barns, Harvey, Hender 3; McKenzie 2; McDonough, Motlop, Shannon.

West: Fielke, Tuck 2; Green, Hill, Schiller, Silverlock, Slattery, Stevens, Stubbs.

INJURIES – North: Nil

West: Nil

UMPIRES – Cook, Sboro, Bau

At Richmond Oval