A Win For The Roos To Savour

The Sunday Age

Sunday April 20, 2008

By Michael Lynch

FOR North Melbourne last night's come-from-behind victory over Collingwood could be a season-defining triumph, delighted coach Dean Laidley said in the aftermath of a win that encapsulated North's spirit - and just a little bit more.

For the Magpies, who crashed to their second defeat in six days, a period of introspection and analysis looms as coach Mick Malthouse ponders how to reverse this mini form slump ahead of next Friday's Anzac Day blockbuster against Essendon.

The Pies looked to have the game in control with a 21-point lead midway through the final term but they were unable to withstand North's late charge. Alan Didak spurned a golden opportunity to give Malthouse's men the points in the dying moments, but the coach would not blame one of his team's better players, saying merely that wins and losses can't be blamed on just one kick.

But one point that did raise comment after the game was a shocking centre bounce in the final quarter at a critical time, which landed in North captain's Adam Simpson's hands and was propelled to Ed Lower who kicked a goal.

Collingwood veteran Tarkyn Lockyer could not believe the ball was not recalled, and another bounce taken.

"Of course they should have (called the ball back). I'm not too sure (why the umpire didn't), it was just an absolute shocker, one that would have been nice if it had gone our way but unfortunately it didn't," Lockyer said on 3AW.

Simpson said: "It was a very low bounce, I don't think I've ever seen a bounce that low. I don't know what the rule was but I didn't stop and wait. It was one incident in a pretty tight game. I probably thought (Alan ) Didak should have kicked that goal which would have put them in front so everything evens out over the day.

"Probably (it should have been recalled). I was dirty earlier on in the game when they did a bounce that wasn't as bad, but . . . that's just the way it goes. If you wanted it perfect, you'd throw it up every time."

Laidley said he and his staff had targeted this round five match as a critical game that could set up the rest of North's season.

"We said that tonight this is the game, we made that pretty clear over the past 36-48 hours with the boys. We sat down and had a good chat about it. They were up for the challenge. We were playing against a very good football side and got a bit of luck.

"It wasn't specifically just about playing Collingwood. I thought from round one to round four we had improved each week, played more consistent football and tonight I thought this is the one . . . it's a big step forward for us.

"I think the belief that we had last year may have wavered a bit through the pre-season wondering what's going to happen but I think slowly over the last five weeks we have been building up to some pretty consistent performances."

In truth, Laidley's side created several quite gettable opportunities which, had they taken, could have put a different complexion on this game, as he pointed out.

"The day that we actually kick straight we will probably put the result away very, very quickly."

Malthouse was stoical about the loss which leaves the Magpies on the negative side of the ledger after five matches.

"We had our chances . . . I think the better side won. I just didn't think we used the ball as well as we should have.

"They capitalised on the fall of the ball in their forward line. They kicked goals we didn't, it doesn't get much more simple than that."

© 2008 The Sunday Age

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