AFL Round 18: North are the better team despite the result

Josh Barnstable

“Do some work, Josh,” orders my substitute science teacher.

“Nah,” is my reply.

Who can work on plastics and metals when you’re going to the AFL? Not me for sure.

Finally the bell rings. As my classmates walk to English for period 6, I walk to the front office and out the door with my Dad. I quickly get changed out of my school uniform and into my much warmer “city” clothes. And we’re off to Seymour, a short hour’s drive away.

As it nears 4 o’clock, we arrive in Seymour with an hour to spare while we wait for our train to arrive. It’s the first time I’ll be travelling on a train that I can remember. I go and sit on a seat while Dad buys himself a coffee; I wait anxiously for a call from the ABC to do my radio program with Crackers Keenan. Finally, at 4:53, my phone starts vibrating. I answer it and I finish my program as I board the train. I pick North Melbourne, knowing they will get over the line for Adam Simpson. If ever they need to show the Shinboner Spirit, it’s tonight.

We take our seats, and I’m made uncomfortable by a weird-looking drunk sitting across from me, continually staring at me. He starts eating a sandwich, and the remains of it stay on his lips and chin for the entire trip. He also takes an occasional swig of his beer. I text my friend, who is in the next carriage; we pick on the announcer’s funny voice which sounds a lot like Manny of Ice Age.

The train pulls into Spencer Street station, Dad and I venture towards Etihad Stadium. We show our member’s tickets and are told that we need to sit in Level 3. I’m a little disappointed, as I like to sit behind the goals in the first level and get a good look at what’s going on. I squint to see the big screen; it’s so small compared to the MCG’s. As Simpson runs out for the Roos, I clap hard, as do the rest of us, even the Carlton supporters. I have a feeling that we’re on tonight.

The first quarter begins and within the first 20 seconds Nick Stevens has a shot on goal but misses. Corey Jones misses up the other end but Lindsay Thomas marks and kicks the first. Scott Thompson tussles with Brendan Fevola. Fev whacks Thompson’s arm away each time, and gives away a free kick for elbowing Thompson in the face. We all yell out to Fevola as he is dragged from the field, but I can’t help but think back to Round 15 when Fevola had a shocking first quarter but ended up with nine goals. Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs goal for the Blues but the Roos hit back to draw scores level at quarter time, 3.4 each.

Dad and I go back down to the first level and grab some seats behind the Carlton cheer squad. The second quarter begins and Setanta O’hAilpin gets his boot to the ball to kick a lucky goal for the Blues but the Roos fire back, with goals to Leigh Harding and Hamish McIntosh. Simpson provides a highlight, with a kick out of mid air in the forward pocket finding Thomas, who snaps a goal. The crowd jump to their feet as the Roos lead by 16 points. The Blues bite back with Fevola getting on the board, and trail by 11 points at half-time, 7.9 to 6.4. I notice a lot of the Carlton supporters look the same; Italian, short hair, facial piercings and stylish shoes.

The second half starts and the Blues start well. Fevola finds his range, booting two goals while Murphy provides drive through the midfield and also gets among the goals. Bret Thornton, who hasn’t kicked a goal since Round 6, 2007 (that’s my estimate), marks 50m out and goals as the Blues take the lead and run away with it.

The Roos battle away, though, with goals to Andrew Swallow and Thomas seeing the margin cut to 4 points at three-quarter time, 11.9 to 12.7. A rowdy North Melbourne supporter sitting in front of us has his own party trick whenever North gets a goal or a free kick; he bends over and shows the Carlton cheer squad his hairy behind. It really irks the Blues’ fans, but it’s a bit of a laugh for North fans. I am a tiny bit worried about a fight, though, so I put Etihad’s emergency number into my phone, just in case.

The final quarter starts and I’m a bundle of nerves. My leg starts shaking and doesn’t seem to stop until the final siren. The Blues goal through Murphy early. I put a mortgage on the house as I plan to get a pie, and while I’m gone Dad informs me that McIntosh missed a relatively easy shot on goal. Then Todd Goldstein misses. Lachie Hansen kicks out on the full. Jones’ snap bounces on the goal line before bouncing into the post. Daniel Pratt misses. Petrie misses. Thomas gains his first blemish on his scoresheet. I start to think North are tanking. Who would tank in the club’s favourite son’s last match?

Thornton puts the result out of question with a clever goal on the line. Bloody Thornton. He’s hardly kicked a goal on his career, and he picks tonight to boot two and be a factor. The siren sounds as Petrie kicks forward. It would have resulted in a behind anyway. The Blues win by 10 points, 14.10 (94) to 11.18 (84).

Despite the devastating loss, I think North were the better team on the night and showed a lot of promise. Levi Greenwood restricted Chris Judd, Liam Anthony racked up the most touches on the ground, Brent Harvey continued his fine form, Thomas was a target up forward, Goldstein provided another option up forward in the absence of David Hale and young Thompson proved  he can be one of the most annoying full-backs in the competition.

As Dad and I board the train to go home, a Carlton couple sits opposite us. The woman’s Carlton flag keeps falling and hitting me. I wait an hour, and grab some vacant seats with no one near me, and I somehow sleep into the night while sitting upright.

North Melbourne 3.4—7.9—11.9—11.18 (84)
Carlton 3.4—6.4—12.7—14.10 (94)

Goals:
North Melbourne-Thomas 4, Petrie 2, Harding 2, Swallow, McIntosh, Harvey
Carlton-Murphy 4, Fevola 3, Stevens 2, Gibbs 2 Thornton 2, O’hAilpin

Best:
North Melbourne-Anthony, Thompson, Harvey, Simpson, Thomas, Greenwood, Petrie, McIntosh
Carlton-Murphy, Stevens, Gibbs, Thornton, Austin, Armfield

Crowd: 38,554 at Etihad Stadium

Votes: 3: Marc Murphy (CARL), 2: Liam Anthony (NM), 1: Scott Thompson (NM).