North Melbourne visited Optus oval in Perth to take on much improved West Coast in a highly competitive game that was in the balance right up to the final minutes of the match. North Melbourne have been showing some fight and some promise. However their inexperience and their lack of match stamina has cost them the chocolates as they say in Aussie rules circles but they do seem to be improving and not far off from securing a win. This would be their chance to do so for the first time this season, though it was not an easy contest and they had to work hard and fight hard for the vital 4 points.
Was a rather low scoring affair and North Melbourne didn't get off to the start they were hoping for by being kept goalless in the first quarter. However, to the Kangaroos' credit their defensive lines were resolute and determined and were able to smother any attack the Eagles made when they were venturing within their attacking 50 metre arc. They were only able to score 10 points and kick one goal and four points. North Melbourne were on track to keeping the Eagles goalless too but this goal was kicked in the dying stages of the quarter to so possible signs that the defensive lines of the Shinboner's might be put to the test and could be teetering.
The second quarter started strongly with North Melbourne opening their account scoring their first goal and a few behinds to bring the scores level. in the 9th minute West Coast kicked one and things looked concerning for the visitors. However their dogged determination and their ferocious tackling and their close quarters tagging had cramped up the Eagle's style of play and had resulted in West Coast being shut down and unable to break away from the Kangaroos. This was resulting in North Melbourne being able to gain the ascendancy and began to turn the screws on the hosts and began to stamp their authority. Though they ran into the main break with an 8 point lead at half time 29 to 21.
North Melbourne had turned on the heat and the third quarter was all Kangaroos. They kept West Coast goalless and only allowed them to score 6 behinds where North Melbourne had kicked four goals and one behind to head to the three quarter change with a 27 point lead. North Melbourne were 54 to 27. It looked like North Melbourne had broken the Eagles and the game was going to go all North's way. West Coast looked deflated and bereft of an idea. Though This is North Melbourne and they have struggled to finish teams off or maintain the pace with their opposition. So would have to wait and see how the final quarter would pan out.
Well West Coast had turned the game on its head as North Melbourne simply looked like that they had run out of petrol in their tanks and more and more unforced errors had culminated in West Coast completely shutting down the visitors. West Coast kicked 6 unanswered goals and had smashed the defense of North. It was rapidly slipping away until the 25th minute with North Melbourne finding just enough juice in their tank to snag two vital goals to seal the match and clinch a 9 point victory to finally record their first win of the season.
Now after all that onto the food and beverages. Mid-strength Bundaberg and cola and Matso's ginger beer were both 13.50. Now I have said this many times. But for mid-strength alcohol the price is too high for a slightly reduced content. But I digress before I once again go down that rabbit hole of ranting and raving about that issue. It was enjoyable to have either way during the match. Water was highway robbery at 5.40 and that is ridiculous, especially when they bang on about responsible service of alcohol and the reduction in trying to not allow people who are consuming alcohol to not become intoxicated and to remain sober. Having water at such a price is ridiculous, especially for children and people who do not consume alcohol.
The Italian steak sandwich was a bit expensive at 22 dollars but certainly tasted rather delicious. Though it probably should be 5 dollars cheaper. The pork loaded fries were 14.50 and I think the portion to price ratio was suitable and I think the price for this is somewhat fair for what is on offer. This was finished with a bulleit bourbon for the same price and the Bundaberg and Matsos. Again, my same complaints and it is also mid-strength.
This was also my first game at Optus stadium to watch a North Melbourne game and the first time since I think about 2007 since I have seen North Melbourne win a game in Perth. Also it has been 12 years since I saw a North Melbourne win in person since I was on the Gold Coast back in June of 2012. Another game and another outing to Optus stadium. A very good venue, some complaints about pricing, though I think that this is just the way it will always be and sadly wont change. Though I will always make a point about it.
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