Victory at last for West Adelaide as Bloods hold off spirited Roosters comeback

FOR three quarters and five minutes, West Adelaide did most things right against North Adelaide, as it hunted its first victory of the season. Then it all almost came tumbling down ...

West’s Taite Silverlock breaks through a tackle against North Adelaide. Picture: Roger Wyman

WEST Adelaide has endured a horror season and had not had a victory entering the round 12 clash against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on Sunday.

For three quarters and five minutes, the Bloods did most things right, building a 37-point lead in an effort to secure that elusive win. For the rest of the contest, they did everything to throw the game away.

But finally the reigning champions got to sing their song in triumph when they withstood the Roosters’ belated bid in a dramatic final quarter to triumph by four points.

“It is a sense of relief,’’ Bloods coach Mark Mickan said. “There were times in the final quarter we were concerned but the players stood firm, held the ball up when they had to and did enough to get across the line.’’

The wild final term masked a sloppy three quarters, especially from the Roosters, when skills were an issue and ordinary football was a constant.

Roosters ruckman James Craig dominated the ruck but the Bloods, more desperate and hungry for the contest, often won the inside ball to fuel scoring opportunities.

Zach O’Brien, Chris Schmidt and Kaine Stevens found plenty of ball for the visitors, Trent Stubbs was dangerous up forward and Adam Hartlett dominated in defence.

It wasn’t until the final term the Roosters won more clearances and used the ball more effectively.

“For the first three quarters we got smashed around the football,’’ Roosters coach Josh Carr said. “We saw a team more desperate than we were and from where we have come, that should not be happening.

“It was really disappointing to put ourselves on that position at three-quarter time. It is easy for teams to attack and just go for it when they are that far behind.

“We never deserved to win that game.’’

WEST ADELAIDE 3.2 7.2 11.4 13.4 (82)

NORTH ADELAIDE 3.0 4.2 6.3 12.6 (78)

BEST - West: Hartlett, Middleton, O’Brien, Schmidt, Stubbs, Favretto. North: M. Thring, Clisby, Schwarz, G. Thring, Motlop, J. Craig.

GOALS - West: Stubbs 5, Fielke, Middleton 2, Agostino, Silverlock, Stevens, Willits. North: M. Thring 3, Motlop, Barns, Wilkie 2, Harvey, Virgin, Ryswyk.

UMPIRES - Burke, Crosby, Sboro.

CROWD - 2223 at Prospect Oval.