‘The stars aligned’: Kangaroos topple Hawthorn to claim first win

The wait is over. Finally, after eight losing rounds this season, and only one win in their past 23 matches, North Melbourne have tasted a rare victory and delivered coach David Noble his maiden win on his 54th birthday.

That it came after trailing Hawthorn by 32 points in the second term in Launceston - where the Hawks have enjoyed a 77 per cent winning percentage - made this even more special and eased the pressure at Arden Street.

Sheer relief: David Noble and the Roos.Credit: Getty Images

The Kangaroos booted eight goals to four after half-time to claim a seven-point breakthrough win, an important moment in their rebuild while casting even more doubt on Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett’s bid for his club to be back in premiership contention in two years.

Veteran hardnut Ben Cunnington was typically robust at stoppages, while fellow midfielder Jy Simpkin, tipped to be a future captain, had 38 disposals, including 13 clearances, and provided much drive. Emerging star Tom Powell was quiet but Luke Davies-Uniacke had 24 touches, including 11 clearances. This included 10 disposals in the third term, including five clearances, in what was his best game of the season. He is becoming the bull the Kangaroos have long hoped he would be.

“Obviously, a great win. The boys have worked hard ... it’s our first win. We are just really process-driven at the moment. We knew if we got that process right, the results would come,” Simpkin said.

Added Davies-Uniacke: “The stars aligned today. We knew if we stuck to the structure and were disciplined, the results would go our way. It’s all about finding that spirit. For the first few rounds, it wasn’t there.“

The Kangaroos lifted their work-rate in the second term, booting three straight after the Hawks had control through their handball-happy style, and the Roos continued to threaten in the third term when they closed to within a point. Local lad Tarryn Thomas provided run and carry all day.

The Kangaroos lifted their work around the clearances and they took the lead early in the final term when Cameron Zurhaar marked on the lead and converted. When he followed this up soon after, the Hawks were in trouble.

The Hawks responded with two goals to regain momentum, the second a long bomb from Jack Scrimshaw, but the Kangaroos through Taylor Garner responded. In the late afternoon chill, the two teams traded late goals but the Kangaroos were not to be denied.

Skipper Jack Ziebell, growing into his role across half-back, also had important touches, while ruckman Todd Goldstein had the better of Ben McEvoy.

Noble had urged his struggling club through the week to seek a priority draft pick but this drew a rebuke from former premiership star David King on Saturday, who claimed the call went against the club’s “Shinboner spirit”.

“Work harder, work smarter and overcome all obstacles,” King said on Fox Footy, while questioning whether club chief executive Ben Amarfio was on board with Noble’s declaration.

The defeat wasted a brilliant day by Chad Wingard, who had 21 disposals. He had nine score involvements in his opening 11 disposals and appeared to have the Hawks on target for their third win. While the defeat hurt, for the Hawks they can take solace in knowing midfielder Scrimshaw continues to progress, so do Changkuoth Jiath and Oliver Hanrahan, while forward Jacob Koschitzke shapes as a target for the next decade. There is also much to like about Dylan Moore and James Cousins.

One up

Luke Breust got the Hawks off to an excellent start when he converted with a “banana” from the right forward pocket, highlighting why he has been one of the finest sharpshooters of the past decade. But teammate Wingard went one better when, from the left pocket right on the boundary line but on his natural side, he converted while falling into a photographer. Wingard was in superb touch in the first term. He also converted a set shot and twice found Koschitzke for goals, the first through a slick handball, the second a fine pass to his leading teammate.

Seeing double

While the focus has been on Harry McKay and his contract status at Carlton, twin brother Ben, a key defender, is also off contract. The Kangaroos and McKay are in negotiations but the question remains as to whether McKay’s best football is up forward. He can be creative, and was just that with a clever handball at half-back which led to a Thomas dash which found Goldstein for the Kangaroos’ opening goal.

Milestone men

It was a day of milestones for David Noble and Clarkson. For Noble, it was his birthday. For Clarkson, he joined Rodney Eade in 15th spot for most senior matches coached in the VFL-AFL (377).

Best:
Hawthorn: Wingard, Shiels, Hardwick, Cousins,
North Melbourne: Cunnington, Simpkin, Davies-Uniacke, Thomas, Ziebell, Goldstein

Votes:
8: Jy Simpkin (North Melbourne)
8: Chad Wingard (Hawthorn)
8: Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne)
7: Luke Davies-Uniacke (North Melbourne)
7: Tarryn Thomas (North Melbourne)