NORTH MELBOURNE 18.17 (125) def BRISBANE 9.8 (62)
NORTH Melbourne jumped the Brisbane Lions in the first quarter to be run-away winners by 63 points. The Roos were unbeatable in the third quarter with seven goals to Brisbane’s two goals, to kill off any hope of a Lions comeback. The Roos got as much as 65 points up in the third term, but it was the debut and early substitution of Majak Daw that shocked the Etihad Stadium crowd.
Also on Football Nation: Majak Daw subbed out with injury
Daw started his first senior game like he had been playing it for years with an exciting contested mark with his first touch of the ball. He slotted the goal and joined an elusive club of kicking a goal with their first kick. However minutes later, Daw was subbed out of the game due to a head clash with teammate Ben Cunnington that left him concussed.
That was the only sour note of the day for the Roos after they won their first game of the season. Brisbane’s Ashley McGrath was also subbed out of the match at the end of the first quarter due to a shin injury.
It was the Roos’ ability to win 20 to 8 inside 50′s in the first quarter that pressured the Brisbane Lions defence, which eventually gave way. North Melbourne had the first 11 shots at goal and the Lions had to wait until the 22nd minute mark before they registered their first goal, kicked by Niall McKeever.
The Roos continued their first quarter superiority in the second despite the Lions showing some grunt. Matthew Leuenberger had nine disposals to quarter time and was one of a few Lions’ players that was showing any effort.
Brisbane’s debutant Marco Paparone kicked his first goal in league footy. Scott Thompson for the Kangaroo’s had kept Lions captain Jonathon Brown relatively quiet. The Lions eventually worked their way into the game and were down by 32 points at half time. They remained confident that they could come back into the game after a slow start.
But the Kangaroos put on a clinic in the third quarter with the first five goals. Brisbane had no rhythm and could not hit a target up forward, whilst the Roos dominated every area of the game. Jack Ziebell was the best in the third quarter with three contested marks, including one goal and they led by an unlosable 65 points at the last break.
Roos’ coach Brad Scott said after the game that it was critical to put in a four quarter effort.
“Our poor 3rd terms have been a result of fundamental errors. At half time we spoke about staying organised,” says Scott.
In the last quarter, the misery continued for the Lions and the Roos’ early jump and better use of the football gave the club a deserved win. Kangaroos’ defender Thompson stopped champion Brisbane forward Brown and finished with an impressive 25 disposals, 10 marks and a goal.
“Our defence held up really well. They’re unheralded but rated really highly internally,” says Scott.
At the other end of the field Drew Petrie man-handled Daniel Merrett all day and kicked four goals. Lindsay Thomas also finished with four goals and the Lions had no answer for the ruthless small forward.
Scott was pleased after the match with a full team effort, especially Ziebell’s.
“I thought Jack was really impressive and stamped his authority on the game,” says Scott.
Tom Rockliff finished with 34 disposals for the Lions, Jed Adcock was strong across half-back finishing with 29 disposals, but it was debutant Paparone who inspired with three goals.
The Roos were irrepressible against the Lions and they gave their all, right from the first bounce. For the Lions, their slow start hurt them badly and their inability to hit a forward target destroyed their chances of winning.
Here are the highlights from the game: