North Melbourne Kangaroos - Round 20 Review v Hawthorn Hawks

Well what can I say another go against a top 4 team and another loss. Don't get me wrong it wasn't a thumping, the Roos were even briefly ahead with 4 minutes to go. But.... they faded and the old guard for the Hawks came through and again showed us that the Roos are still off the mark. Not much in my mind but still can't seem to win the games when they're in the balance. The Kangaroos have won 2 games by okay teams and through responding to the opposition surge that inevitably came. Round 13 vs Essendon and round 17 vs Western Bulldogs showed a glimpse of some semblance of ticked for the boys in Royal Blue. The rest of the games were a mix of downhill skiing against inferior opposition, getting blasted by Collingwood or Geelong or most frustratingly being in the game for 3 quarters or so before rolling over and giving the game away. This was particularly prevalent against West Coast (Rd1) by 4 points, Richmond (Rd 5) 9pts, Brisbane (Rd 9) 14pts, Sydney (Rd 10)1pt, St Kilda (Rd 15) 9pts, Carlton (Rd 19) 18pts, and on Sunday against Hawthorn (Rd 20)17 pts.

Yes that's correct we have been either even or ahead at some point in the last quarters and lost on 7 occasions. Just because I'm drinking scotch and researching doesn't make me wrong! If the Roos could have pulled 2 of those losses into victories they'd be playing finals this year and getting valuable experience into a core group of 30 - 100 gamers. Considering the Roos held considerable leads at some point in some of those games makes it even more disappointing. All the Kangaroos can do now is take the bye week off and regroup, hope for Essendon to lose to the Bulldogs and win their last 3 games. If results fall the way so that the Roos make it, great. If not, they probably didn't deserve it!

Round 20 @Aurora Stadium vs Hawthorn Hawks

Hawthorn Hawks 2.1 6.6 9.8 15.13 103



North Melbourne Kangaroos 3.7 5.7 9.7 13.8 86

Again North squandered early chances kicking 3 goals 7 behinds and failing to take ascendancy, with a strong breeze in their favour no less. Hawthorn kicked a little better in the second quarter taking a 5 point lead into the main break. Jack Ziebell was again strong in the engine room while Daniel Wells and Andrew Swallow seemed affected by the supposed flu they had. Todd Goldstein again held his own in the ruck. The Roos pulled the deficit back to 1 point at the 3 quarter break. Hawthorn were going to be kicking with the wind in the last so it was always going to be a tough ask. The most disappointing part of the loss was the fact that the Roos took ascendancy and kicked 4 quick goals, all to forward pocket speedster Matty 'Flash' Campbell, he finished with 5 goals for the match. His last goal giving the Roos a 4 point lead with 4 minutes to go. Things started to unravel from there, Lance Franklin finally decided to play and the Hawks kicked away with the last 3 goals of the game. Scott McMahon was great off half back with a team high 29 disposals, 8 marks and 6 tackles. Jack Ziebell was clearly Norths best with 27 disposals including 17 contested and 16 clearances and a goal. Todd Goldstein finished with 37 hit outs to go with his league leading tally. In the end the Hawks midfield stepped it up a gear when it was needed and proved they are about 5 ladder positions ahead of the Arden St boys. Rumour has it that several North player came down with flu like symptoms and diaargha and Lachlan Hansen actually had to pull out just before kick off.
 
Roo Rating: 7/10
 
Daniel Wells
 
Daniel apparently was suffering from mild flu symptoms and even though he finished with 19 touches and 5 tackles he only showed glimpses of brilliance including a much needed long range goal in atrocious Tasmanian conditions.
 
Wells Rating: 5/10
 
Until then hail to