Australian Football

Match Report

While it found a new way to do it, North Melbourne has lost yet another game in 2013 by a margin under a goal, its fifth such defeat this season. The Kangaroos had given up significant leads in their previous four such losses but on Friday night came back from a 35-point deficit mid-way through the third quarter to fall short by the narrowest of margins at Docklands stadium.

The two sides traded early first-quarter goals before Lindsay Thomas gave the Kangaroos a 15-point break with two goals in five minutes just prior to time on in he first term. But Lachie Henderson and then Eddie Betts responded before Ed Curnow gave the Blues a one-point lead at the 29-minute mark. Thomas chipped in with his third to restore the Kangaroos' lead but the Blues' skipper Marc Murphy kicked the last of the quarter to allow Carlton to lead by a point at the first change.

A relatively period of play ensued in the second term but after Brad McKenzie goaled to give North a six-point lead ay the 11-minute mark, Carlton kicked seven of the next eight goals to take what looked to be an unassailable 35-point lead into time on in the third quarter.

But from that moment, North began the long climb back. Late third-quarter goals to Thomas and Jack Ziebell gave the Roos a glimmer of hope and at the final change of ends, the margin had been reduced to a not-insurmountable 21 points.

Zach Tuohy kicked the first goal of the last quarter but the Kangaroos continued to come, with a goal to Thomas and two to Drew Petrie reducing the difference to just 11 points at the 10-minute mark. Chris Yarran steadied the ship for Carlton but Daniel Wells, Thomas and Petrie kicked the next three for North to cut the margin to just one point.

North surged forward one final time but Brent Harvey couldn't quite gain control of a loose, awkwardly bouncing ball and the Blues hung on to win by a solitary point.

Jeff Garlett was magnificent for Carlton with four goals, while Lachie Henderson (three goals) and Matthew Kreuzer (29 hitouts and 17 possessions) were also excellent. For the vanquished, Lindsay Thomas (six goals), Drew Petrie (four goals and sixteen touches) and Scott Thompson (23 disposals) were all fine contributors.

The win temporarily saw Carlton move into the top eight, although Port Adelaide reclaimed that place with a nail-biting win over St Kilda on Saturday night. The Blues will face Gold Coast and Fremantle in away games over the next fortnight. North Melbourne meanwhile, finds itself three games outside of the eight. Had it won the five games it lost by under a goal it would be pushing for a place in the top four.

GOALS
North Melbourne: Thomas 6; Petrie 4; McKenzie, Bastinac, Ziebell, Wells, Harvey, Macmillan
Carlton: Garlett 4; Henderson 3; Yarran, Betts, Curnow, Tuohy 2; Murphy

BEST - THE AGE
North Melbourne: Thomas, Petrie, Thompson, Harvey, Adams, Cunnington
Carlton: Simpson, Kreuzer, Garlett, Carrazzo, Henderson, Curnow, Betts

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
North Melbourne: Thomas, Petrie, Thompson, Harvey, Ziebell, Adams
Carlton: Garlett, Henderson, Curnow, Simpson, Kreuzer, Murphy

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
Carlton: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Sam Gibson replaced Scott McMahon during the third quarter
Carlton: Jaryd Cachia replaced Brock McLean during the fourth quarter

UMPIRES: Rosebury, Stevic, Mollison

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Seven Network

COMMENTATORS: Bruce McAvaney, Dennis Cometti, Leigh Matthews, Tom Harley, Matthew Richardson