It probably says more about Port Adelaide than North Melbourne that, prior to this match, I was reasonably confident that the Kangaroos could get the job done. But I had seen this movie too many times: confidence being usurped by the grim reality of North’s poor skills and inferior decision-making. And sure, our pre-season had been indifferent at best. On-field, the mother of all wallopings from Melbourne was followed by a narrow win over an under-strength Collingwood. Off-field, Caroline Wilson was yet again suggesting that there were ructions amongst the past players and general dis-satisfaction with the Sonja Hood-led board. (North supporters have seen constant re-runs of this Caro movie over the past few years).
Indeed, in the lead-up, the president had sent a pointed email to members which basically said there were “no more excuses”. This struck a slightly different tone to coach Alistair Clarkson’s suggestion that the re-build could take ten years! Those words were not music to these ears. Despite all this noise, meeting a weak looking Power outfit at home offered North the perfect opportunity to get a rare Round 1 win and the season off to a flyer. And so it proved.
The first quarter felt like it was two teams flexing their muscles, feeling each other out. But I reckoned North had the upper hand early and should even have been further in front at the first break but for a few set-shot misses, the most surprising by the normally dead-eye Paul Curtis. After a cold winter which has dragged on for almost a decade, the second quarter provided North fans with some heart-warming moments, the best of which was when Colby McKercher (back after an interrupted pre-season) gathered the ball and burst from inside the centre-square to slot though a major. There were other flashes of brilliance, too – many provided by Luke Davies-Uniacke, whose one-touch clearance work was first-rate. North went into the long break 25 points up, but Port were still hanging on, with Mitch Georgiades looking particularly threatening on Griffin Logue.
A 5-goal third quarter eased any concerns I may have harboured at half-time. The taller North forwards in Larkey, Zurhaar, Trembath and Darling imposed themselves on the game – and Jack Darling’s willingness to continually present as an outlet option across half-back was a welcome sight. He won’t play every game, but his strong body will be an asset in those that he does. Our on-field coach, the former Swans champ Luke Parker, was also winning plenty of the ball. On the evidence presented in this first game it seems that he might be pegged for a floating type of half-back role this season. His nouse is invaluable to his younger teammates. Harry Sheezel was coming into the game, and Finn O’Sullivan – in an unfamiliar tagging role on the Port champion Zac Butters – won some of his own ball also. Apart from a few defensive lapses which allowed the Power to kick a couple of soft goals, it was all coming together for the Kangaroos.
In previous seasons, the familiar final quarter script would have run as follows: a) North – having controlled the game and built a formidable lead – completely forget the style of game which brought them into a winning position; b) ridiculous time-wasting short-passing in the backline result in turnovers and goals to the opposition; c) the opposition get a sniff in the face of North’s nervousness; d) North cling on for a narrow victory. Alternative ending: e) North get over-run and lose a game which was theirs for the taking.
But this game would not follow that all too familiar script. Especially when players such as Dylan Stephens (in his best game for North) are racking up possessions, and the ungainly Charlie “Chom” Comben is intercepting anything that is within cooee of those long arms. In fact, it is satisfying to watch North outscore Port in the final term. Very satisfying indeed.
So this is what it feels like to enjoy a comfortable Round 1 victory! My excitement is tempered by the suspicion that Port will be in for a long 2026. But right now I will embrace the unfamiliarity of being 1-0 and fourth on the ladder!
MALARKEY MEDAL VOTES: 3. L Davies-Uniacke (NM), 2. L Parker (NM), 1. C Comben (NM).
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.4 8.5 13.10 17.11 (113)
PORT ADELAIDE 2.2 4.4 7.8 9.13 (67)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Larkey 4, Trembath 3, Zurhaar 2, Curtis, Stephens, Comben, McKercher, Darling, Simpkin, Parker, Duursma
Port Adelaide: Georgiades 3, Durdin 2, Whitlock 2, Bergman, Byrne-Jones
BEST
North Melbourne: Stephens, Parker, Comben, Sheezel, Davies-Uniacke
Port Adelaide: Rozee, Butters, Drew, Georgiades
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
Port Adelaide: Marshall (ankle)
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Good write up -Smokie I was umpiring cricket on Sunday it was a pleasant surprise checking the scores re barracking for -17 sides who play the dark side.Having a bit to do with-Dylan Stephens as a red legs man it’s been surprising re him being a slow burn to make it as a solid afl player I thought he started to come good in second half of -25 Smokie ( yes pun intended) to be a all australian in -26 thank you