Adam Carafa impresses as Northern Knights get wildcard round win
Northern Knights breezed past Bendigo Pioneers in the NAB League wildcard round, inspired by Adam Carafa’s performance and three goals from Liam McMahon.
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After a harsh lesson in finals football last year, Northern Knights breezed through the NAB League wildcard round on Saturday.
The Knights were a class above Bendigo Pioneers after quarter-time at Preston City Oval, the seven-goal victory completing a 79-point turnaround from the Pioneers’ win just three weeks earlier.
Young gun Adam Carafa stepped up on the big stage to enhance his reputation.
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The Vic Metro midfielder collected a game-high 29 disposals while also laying five tackles.
Knights coach Justin Wenke praised his budding star as he backed up a standout 23-possession performance in the final-round win over Western Jets.
“He was the star performer for the whole day, I thought he was the best player on the ground,” Wenke said.
“He was able to win the ball and tackle and was our prime mover all day.”
Carafa was ably supported by Sam Philp (23 touches and a goal) and James Lucente (18 possessions, 10 marks and a goal).
Kicking against a stiff breeze, Northern trailed by 16 points at quarter-time, thanks to Bendigo’s inaccurate 3.6.
However after the first break, the Knights took control, kicking 14 goals to four to run out 15.7 (97) to 7.13 (55) winners.
After missing the past three weeks through injury, defender Ayce Taylor proved why he’d earned an AFL Draft state combine invite.
The 190cm backman finished with 13 disposals and four marks.
“He’s had a groin issue and the last time he played was against Bendigo,” Wenke said.
“He was able to get himself right and he was our best defender in the first half. He was marking everything.”
Bottom-age father-son hopeful Ewan Macpherson laid a game-high six tackles.
Liam McMahon was the Knights’ most dangerous forward with three goals after overcoming a concussion sustained in the final round.
Wenke hoped a triple threat of tall timber would make the Knights a dangerous team as the finals campaign unfolded.
“(Liam) started the game really well and we’re pretty potent with him at 192cm and quite mobile, Nik Cox is 198cm and Liam Kolar, playing his second game, is 194cm,” he said.
“We threw (Ryan) Sturgess forward late and he kicked the last two goals of the game.”
Sturgess, Koby Davies and Jack Boyd all kicked two majors.
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