Brisbane hang on to win by one-point as North Melbourne show fight, Rhyce Shaw proud of young Roos
The patience North Melbourne fans have shown with top draftee Luke Davies-Uniacke is being rewarded, with the Roos midfielder enjoying the best two weeks of his short AFL career.
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Finally, there is light at the end of the tunnel for AFL battlers North Melbourne.
The biggest rebuild in the proud club’s history was set to kick off at season’s end after the injury-ravaged team’s remarkable 2020 downfall.
But Kangaroos coach Rhyce Shaw is confident the first steps toward recovery have already been taken after his young team fell agonisingly short in their one-point AFL loss to top two outfit Brisbane Lions on Saturday.
North Melbourne were tipped to slump to their ninth loss in 10 games when they lined up against the in-form Lions at Metricon Stadium following their woeful 57-point last round loss to Melbourne – but the Kangaroos had other ideas.
Despite boasting 10 players aged under 22, North Melbourne went toe to toe with the flag contenders who led by 18 points in the final term before falling over the line.
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It was just the response Shaw was looking for after making the bold call to dump the likes of experienced players Jared Polec, Aaron Hall and Majak Daw among seven changes in order to “find out about a few players” before season’s end.
“We are proud of that performance and I think our fans should be as well – give us another five minutes and anything could have happened,” Shaw said.
“That’s the way we want to play as the North Melbourne footy club – that’s the standard for us I think moving forward.”
Shaw has left the door open for wholesale list changes next year with off contract forward Ben Brown under the microscope and speculation around the future of the likes of Hall, Daw, Jamie Macmillan, Jasper Pittard, Taylor Garner and Shaun Atley.
And his young brigade gave Shaw some food for thought on Saturday.
Cameron Zurhaar’s late two goals almost got a Roos outfit with 10 players boasting less than 25 games’ experience over the line.
Shaw also singled öut Luke Davies-Uniacke, Jy Simpkin, Bailey Scott and Jack Mahony.
“Complement them with guys who are having pretty good years like Luke McDonald and Trent Dumont and it is pretty exciting,” he said.
“And they gave it a good shake (against Brisbane). We kept at it. Brisbane are a quality side but I think we had the momentum in the fourth quarter.
“Young guys have a tendency to drop off but they started thriving on it which is pleasing – the guys are starting to understand what it takes.”
While there were encouraging signs for North on Saturday their injury run continued, losing key defender Robbie Tarrant (calf) who became their 18th player sidelined.
While the 7.11 (53) to (8.4) win was not pretty to watch, Brisbane coach Chris Fagan only had eyes for the AFL ladder after Brisbane moved to 36 points in 12 rounds, trailing ladder leaders Port Adelaide on percentage.
Fagan appeared unfazed by the Roos ambush, denying it was a wake-up call that Brisbane needed in the run home to the finals.
“Ï don’t feel like we dodged a bullet. I think North Melbourne played really well – they competed right to the very end,” he said.
“We probably should have taken more of our chances earlier … but at the end of the day we got four points and that is all that matters.
“Not every game goes to the script that everyone thinks it will. I didn’t think we played great but I am glad that we were able to get away with points.”
Fagan did not believe Brisbane was complacent against a 17th-placed Roos side that had lost eight of its last nine games with 18 players on their injury list, saying the hectic schedule was catching up with his side.
“We have just come off playing four games in 13 days. We did actually look a bit flat, we didn’t have our usual zip or energy … but (we were) not complacent,” Fagan said.
Fagan also dismissed fitness concerns for livewire forward Charlie Cameron who had little impact after looking uncomfortable with his left knee heavily strapped.
“Our medical staff are as professional as anyone in the competition. There is no way he wouldn’t have played today if he wasn’t right,” he said.
Fagan did concede that Brisbane would have to practice their goalkicking ahead of the finals.
“Öbviously that is going to be a topic of conversation until we are not the 18th most inaccurate team in the competition but we will keep working away on it,” he said.
LIONS DOGE BULLET AS ROOS BRING SHINBONER SPIRIT
It was supposed to be a case of not whether Brisbane would win but by how much.
However, the Lions have been forced to dig deep to outlast a gutsy North Melbourne by one point – 7.11 (53) to 8.4 (52) – at Metricon Stadium on Saturday and grab a share of the AFL ladder leader, albeit unconvincingly.
Brisbane appeared to be shoo-ins to grab a ninth win in 11 games and all but secure a top four finish when they lined up against a second-last Kangaroos outfit ravaged by injuries.
But the Lions didn’t look like flag contenders as they were out-enthused by a North Melbourne outfit that had made seven team changes after losing eight of their last nine games.
The Roos also had an 18-strong injury list after the late withdrawal of key defender Robbie Tarrant (calf).
After leading by just 12 at the final interval with coach Chris Fagan’s halftime spray no doubt still ringing in their ears, the Lions somehow held on for a narrow win with Lincoln McCarthy nabbing two goals.
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ROOS RESPOND AFTER COACH’S CHALLENGE
The rebuild may have already started for North Melbourne.
Kangaroos coach Rhyce Shaw this week claimed he would “find out about a few players” as he looked to the future ahead of what loomed as the biggest overhaul in the club’s history at season’s end.
He clearly liked what he saw on Saturday, finishing the game screaming encouragement from the sidelines.
Injuries have taken their toll on the Kangaroos, sabotaging their 2-0 season start that must seem a lifetime ago for Shaw.
But Shaw also made some bold selection calls for the Lions clash by dumping the likes of the experienced Jared Polec, Aaron Hall, Jasper Pittard and Majak Daw and showing faith in his youngsters.
And North’s young brigade stepped up with the likes of Nick Larkey, late inclusion Tristan Xerri, Marley Williams and Luke Davies-Uniacke showing encouraging signs for the future.
It will provide Shaw plenty to ponder as he mulls overs some big calls with off contract forward Ben Brown under the microscope along with the likes of Jamie Macmillan, Jasper Pittard, Daw and Taylor Garner.
LIONS STILL CAN’T KICK STRAIGHT
The Lions would be tempted to kick themselves over their inaccuracy this season – although they may miss.
Brisbane have again emerged as a flag force this year but they started Saturday’s Metricon Stadium clash ranked last in the league for goalkicking accuracy.
Only one team since 2010 has made a preliminary final after being in the bottom-four for accuracy.
Brisbane’s 2020 yips have spilt over from last year when they kicked a total of 19.31 in their two home finals losses.
Brisbane’s radar was again off early, kicking five straight behinds before Dan McStay finally broke the goal drought in the 18th minute in what became an ominous sign for the game.
Big O, the big crumber! #AFLNorthLions pic.twitter.com/bOVUHCou9m
— AFL (@AFL) August 15, 2020
IS CAMERON PLAYING INJURED
Brisbane livewire Charlie Cameron may have been cleared to make a dramatic return from injury against the Kangaroos after suffering a knee complaint and rolling his ankle in their last round win over Western Bulldogs.
But eyebrows were raised when Cameron was seen looking uncomfortable going through fitness drills before the opening bounce with his left knee heavily strapped.
And concerns for Cameron weren’t eased when he continually reached for his leg throughout the game.
But former North Melbourne premiership winner David King reckoned it was all in Cameron’s head.
“It’s more a mental challenge than physical. Brisbane wouldn’t risk someone of his calibre,” he told Fox Footy.
Cameron didn’t add to his 20 goal season tally but did provide one highlight, flying high over Ed Vickers-Willis to snare a great first term grab.
BEST:
North Melbourne: Anderson, Davies-Uniacke, Larkey, Goldstein, Zurhaar
Brisbane Lions: McCarthy, Lyons, Neale, McInerney, Zorko
INJURIES:
North Melbourne: Walker (hamstring).
Brisbane Lions: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
Votes:
3. Anderson (North Melbourne)
2. Zurhaar (North Melbourne)
1. McCarthy (Brisbane Lions)
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Originally published as Brisbane hang on to win by one-point as North Melbourne show fight, Rhyce Shaw proud of young Roos