1998 Premiership Season

Goals : Harvey 5, McKernan 2, Abraham 2, Grant 2, McCartney, Scott, Stevens, Blakey, Pike, Carey, Bell, Simpson.

Best: Archer, Harvey, King

The game got off with a bit of a bang in more ways then one. There was a fireworks display planned before the game but unfortunately it went off underneath the Western Stand sending fireworks flying all over the place and fans from both stands scurrying to have a look. We didn't get any cheerleaders either so it was a most disappointing pregame. Once the game started though things started to go well, Carey started in the backline not that he was needed there. Although in the end Lloyd and Lucus ended up with four each they were never a real threat for the Kangaroos. North had most of the play early but were falling down across the half forward line due to Carey being in defence and the absence of many other talls though injury. It was clear early that North had come to play, the tackling was fierce, especially from Pickett and Grant. Essedon lead early though thanks to a few errors by the Roos, Martyn went on another one of his runs and was caught out when the ball was turned over in midfield. Anthony Stevens took a heavy knock early on and he was very groggy when he got up but surprisingly he was soon back on the ground to kick a great running goal from a tough angle. Archer was killing Matthew Lloyd but Lucus was threatening at times. Up forward for North it was Brent Harvey who was providing the spark, he kicked three of his five goals in the first quarter including one on the siren.

North got the first goal of the second term after a scrappy opening, it came from McCartney a lovely long goal from outside 50. North were very strong early and they got another one from the centre break, after Carey and Abraham combined. Shannon Grant got North's next, it was a great desperate soccer goal off the ground that seemed to hurt his ankle. North had kicked clear though and despite a late fade by the Roos the Bombers were never in it again. Wayne Carey kicked his only goal for the game after recovering quicker then his opponent and kicking a goal. It went goal for goal for the rest of the term, Lloyd finally got to break free of Archer and popped though a goal while McKernan marked and kicked his first goal of the match. Mercuri stated to come into the contest as well, Brent Harvey kicked another goal continuing to take advantage of the dewy conditions. At half time North lead by 23 points and looked fairly safe.

Essendon had the first chance after the break after giving Archer the slip but he missed the shot. Lloyd had another chance soon after, Archer slipping on the dewy surface, he missed again though. Mark Roberts and Martin Pike had been very quite so far in the game. Stevens, Archer , King and Harvey were probably the best. King was providing good run though the middle and thrashed his man Michael Long. Essendon were wasteful in attack and should have been closer to North then they were half way though the term. Winston Abraham took another huge grab in front of goal it was a beautiful high flying juggling effort, he went back and kicked the goal. Corey McKernan hadn't had an impact on the game and was benched replaced by Even Hewitt. Blakey roved one of his hit outs to kick North's next goal. Essendon got a charity goal from the umpire after receiving a 50 metre penalty. General North were good, Roberts contributed to a goal by being very sloppy in his defensive work and a kick out error by David King allowed Calthorpe to kick a goal.

North stretched the lead out to 42 points before easing up, Bell and Grant kicked goals in the last term before the Bombers started to come back hard. Lloyd and Lucus kicked a few goals but North had a few chances to finish off the game but missed them or hit the post. It was a bit disappointing that they didn't finish Essendon off really, we are in a battle with 6 other teams for third place and percentage which is currently poor does need a boast. The final margin was only 3 goals though, we were never in any real danger of losing the game but it would have been nice to put a few more though in the final term. It least it was an improvement over the dismal showing of the last two weeks and we have staved off possible elimination from the final eight for now at least.