North Melbourne move to fifth after becoming first Victorian team to win at Perth Stadium
BRAD Scott predicted that North Melbourne’s success in wild Hobart conditions would stand his men in good stead for anything the Perth weather gods could throw at them. He was right.
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
BRAD Scott predicted that North Melbourne’s success in wild Hobart conditions would stand his men in good stead for anything the Perth weather gods could throw at them.
And so it proved as the Kangaroos eventually wrestled their way clear of Fremantle as the rain tumbled through the second half at Perth Stadium.
Ruckman Todd Goldstein, celebrating his 200th game, kicked the sealer entering time-on of the final term as the visitors prevailed by 28 points.
AFL BLOG: RE-LIVE ALL THE SUNDAY FOOTY ACTION
FIXTURE: WHICH CLUBS HAVE THE EASIEST RUN HOME
The Kangaroos, who had 60-46 edge in the supply battle, might have done it easier if they had kicked straighter earlier in the match.
It still became another tick for the 6-4 outfit, who absorbed everything star Fremantle pair Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters could throw at them.
Jarrad Waite’s three goals, all coming in the second half, were worth their weight in gold as they helped the Roos pull clear in a niggly contest that was marred by poor skills and a series of off-the-ball and downfield free kicks.
Tagger Ben Jacobs and Brownlow Medallist Fyfe shared the points after an enthralling duel, each strong contributors.
Fyfe finished with a game-high 31 touches, eight clearances and a goal, while Jacobs had 29 touches of his own to go with nine tackles and a goal.
Walters was also superb for the home side, kicking two goals to go with his 27 possessions.
The Kangas were their own worst enemy throughout the first half as they wasted a series of chances on goal, beginning with six behinds in the first six minutes of the match.
Their tally read a dismal 1.10 early in the second term, before Jy Simpkin, Jacobs and Kayne Turner provided three goals in the space of three minutes to change the complexion of the game.
North Melbourne clung to a one-point lead at the major break, with Jacobs putting the clamps on Fyfe to hold him to four disposals in the second term after he started with 13 in a brilliant first term.
Fremantle tagger Bailey Banfield was winning his own battle with Shaun Higgins, holding the Roos gun to just seven touches for the first half before Higgins fought on to finish with 24.
The rain tumbled at half-time and it made goals even more precious.
Cam McCarthy and Waite each opened their accounts in the opening moments of the third stanza but from then there were 17 goalless minutes before Waite marked and struck again.
When Ben Brown followed up with a mark and goal of his own, his first for the day, the Kangaroos power forward duo had kicked all three of their side’s goals for the term.
They were the only two marks taken inside 50m by either team for the quarter.
Waite got his third to start the final quarter and in terrible conditions a 16-point advantage for the visitors looked even greater.
Walters gave Fremantle some hope with an inspirational soccer goal that closed the gap to three points 13 minutes into the final term.
It would be the last goal the Dockers would kick as the Kangaroos became the first Victorian team to take the four points home from Perth Stadium.
BEST
North Melbourne: J.Waite, B.Jacobs, K.Turner, J.Macmillan, S.Atley, S.Thompson
Fremantle: M.Walters, N.Fyfe, E.Langdon, J.Hamling, L.Ryan, D.Mundy
VOTES
3. Michael Walters (Frem)
2. Nat Fyfe (Frem)
1. Jarrad Waite (Frem)
LIVE stream every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >
Originally published as North Melbourne move to fifth after becoming first Victorian team to win at Perth Stadium