Game Detail

Round: 5   Venue: Docklands   Date: Sat, 28-04-2012 4:40 pm   Attendance: 17,680
North Melbourne	4.9.33	8.13.61	14.22.106	17.25.127	C:
Gold Coast	2.5.17	9.8.62	10.12.72	13.15.93	C:
	NM by 16	GC by 1	NM by 34	NM by 34

Weather

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Match Report

Without their skipper and best player, Gary Ablett, Gold Coast was always going to find it tough to compete against North Melbourne away from home. As well as Ablett, the Suns also had experienced Michael Rischitelli and Jarrod Harbrow sitting on the sidelines. But Gold Coast fought admirably in the first half to take a surprise one-point lead into half-time and set the Kangaroos back on their heels - before the home side's bigger bodies and experience began to hold sway. North wasted a plethora of chances on goal in the opening quarter and left the door open for a Gold Coast challenge. The Suns took advantage of that opportunity to produce their best ever quarter in the AFL - an excellent 7.3 in the second term. A spray from coach Brad Scott seemed to fire up the Kangaroos as they kicked six goals to one in the third quarter to set up a match-winning lead. Speedy Suns midfielder Harley Bennell played his best game in the AFL, combining some magical tricks with hard running to finish with three goals. Andrew Swallow recovered after receiving a heavy knock from Karmichael Hunt (the subject later of some lavish praise from Brad Scott) to be North’s best player. Swallow’s younger brother, the Suns’ David, was also serviceable for Gold Coast.

GOALS
:
North Melbourne: Petrie, Thomas, Edwards 3, Harper, Adams 2, McIntosh, Harvey, Cunnington, Macmillan

Gold Coast: Bennell 3, Brown, Day, Dixon 2, Illes, Lynch, Swallow, Russell
 


BEST - AFL.COM.AU
North Melbourne: Swallow, Macmillan, Atley, Cunnington, Thomas, Bastinac

Gold Coast: Bennell, Horsley, Swallow, Bock, Hunt

BEST - THE AGE
North Melbourne: Swallow, Macmillan, Atley, Bastinac, Petrie, Thomas, McIntosh
Gold Coast: Swallow, Hunt, Horsley, Bennell, Prestia

COACHES COMMENTS
Brad Scott (NM): I'm really reticent to say I'm disappointed because that would be taking away credit from the opposition. I thought they were fantastic and gave everyone a glimpse of what they could be.

Guy McKenna (GC): With their captain looking on, and Michael Rischitelli out and Jarrod Harbrow with his arm in a sling, I just think the boys as a young group took a step forward today. I just thought it was a great opportunity for the boys to stand up [and] their effort today was super.

Umpires: Ryan, Schmidt, Jennings
 


Player Stats