Australian Football

Match Report

The other match for the Saturday afternoon takes us to the inner north of town, where we find the Roosters facing the Magpies at the Prospect Oval. Back in Round 8, the Roosters gave the Magpies a 79-point hammering at Alberton. It was all pretty much sorted by half-time, with North having scored 11 goals to one in the first half. Port's shooting on goal was of particular concern, four goals from 12 scores. This was another chance to have their captain go out on a high after going down at home to Centrals last week, while the Roosters fought hard but couldn't keep the rampant Redlegs down at The Parade.

The Roosters had the better start, but still put several chances wide to lead by 16 points at quarter-time after scoring 4.5 to the Magpies' 2.1. North would stretch their lead to four goals 12 minutes into the second term after scoring 2.2 to Port's single major, but a Magpies flurry during time-on would see the visitors hold a two-point lead at half-time after scoring a further 4.3 to the Roosters' one behind. With an Elimination Final looming, the Roosters needed to get their belief back. With just one win from their previous four games, belief was everything. That was going to be sorely needed by the final change, the Magpies going into the last term with a 15-point lead after adding 3.3 to North's 1.2 in the third quarter. The Roosters would finally respond in the final term, scoring 4.2 to the Magpies' 1.1. A free kick on the siren to Port would not nick a last-second victory, the 55-metre shot falling short as the home side emerged victorious by four points. 

Tom Schwarz was named best for the Roosters, the Magpies named Steve Summerton as their best afield in his final game.