Australian Football

Match Report

This was the match that would play a part in both clubs September fates... the ABC cameras captured all the drama as the Bloods faced the Roosters at City Mazda Stadium in Richmond. The equation was simple, a North loss would bring the Bloods within a point of nicking the coveted fifth spot but a Westies loss would see the Roosters safely into finals football. A low scoring match would ensue, the slippery conditions and constant rain meant more impact on bodies than on the scoreboard. 

It all started with the Roosters taking a six-point lead at quarter-time after kicking 2.3 to Westies' 1.3. That gap would be extended to 13 points by the long break, the Roosters adding 2.3 to 1.2 in the second term. But before all this, two key North personnel limped off with injuries. In the third term the Bloods would kick back into the game with their addition of 2.1 to their score while the Roosters managed 1.1 to bring the gap back to seven points at the final change. The visitors didn't score any goals in the final term, but four behinds to West's single goal would be enough to send the home side into elimination from finals contention to the tune of five points. 

Heath Younie was voted best for North, while West named Ryan Ferguson as their best afield.