Roosters’ five-goal final quarter too much for West Adelaide at Richmond

NORTH Adelaide played one quarter of footy at Richmond on Thursday night and it was enough to earn it a 15-point win over West Adelaide.

NORTH Adelaide played one quarter of footy at Richmond on Thursday night and it was enough to earn it a 15-point win and ensure a frustrating West Adelaide remains winless in 2014.

In a match in which skill errors plagued both sides at Richmond, the Rooster rammed home five final term goals to one to pinch a 9.16 (70) to 7.13 (55) win and improve their record to 2-1.

Conditions at Richmond were near perfect between a pair of sides who have contended for the premiership in recent seasons but both came in nursing long injury lists and the level of football seemed miles from finals.

Skills from both sides were poor and, for much of the night, West looked set grind out its first win under new coach Mark Mickan through weight of possession and time in its forward half.

The Bloods kicked out to a 23-point lead during the second term and held a two-to-four goal lead throughout the first three quarters.

West turned for home 15 points in front but North emerged a different side in the final term and shot to the front inside 10 minutes courtesy of goals to Andy Read, Rhys O’Keefe and Cohen Thiele.

The Roosters went on with the job adding 5.6 to 1.0 for the term to pinch a valuable win.

For a second week in succession, West came away without a result from a match in which it enjoyed more possessions and led for much of the night.

The Bloods, like North, have had a host of post-season departures and are nursing a heavy injury toll.

It’s seen the depth at Richmond tested and the skill level has suffered.

First quarter of the match was uninspiring to say the least.

Both sides’ skill levels were deplorable in perfect conditions and North struggled to get hold of the footy.

Twelve Roosters had two or less disposals for the term and the side gathered 58 in total.

West failed to take advantage of its dominance and led 2.7 to 1.2 at the first break.

West continued to dominate early in the second term and strung together multiple goals.

The first was courtesy of some clever soccer work from impressive rookie Mason Middleton and the second was from a rare opening half highlight.

Ben Macreadie gathered the ball on half back and kicked long up the corridor to Jon Beech who moved it quickly to Daniel Webb one-out. The big forward marked and goaled.

North began to gain some ascendancy around the contests late in the half and pulled a goal back courtesy of a long-running shot from Matt Campbell to trail by 14 points at the long break.

Patrick Boles snuck an early third quarter goal and the Roosters enjoyed the momentum for a short period without adding any further goals.

With Chris Schmidt dominant in the midfield, West began creating opportunities and manufactured goals through Simon Wong and Middleton.

North pulled one back through Ryan Burton late in the term to turn 15 points behind before unleashing a stunning finish.

The Roosters had 69 disposals to 40 in the final term to reverse West’s midfield ascendancy and come away with two premiership points.

NORTH 1.2 2.7 4.10 9.16 (70)

WEST 2.7 4.9 6.13 7.13 (55)

GOAL - North: Burton 2, Campbell, Boles, Read, O’Keefe, Thiele, Barnes, O’Brien. West: Middleton 3, Webb 2, Fisher, Wong.

BEST - North: Campbell, Amato, De Leonardis, O’Keefe, O’Brien, Mitchell. West: Schmidt, Middleton, Keogh, Ezard, Beech.

UMPIRES: Burke, Crosby, Hosking.