North Melbourne v Collingwood
Ballarat
North Melbourne 12.18 (90) d Collingwood 14.5 (89)
The roar which went up when the siren sounded with North Melbourne one-point in front of Collingwood showed how success starved Kangaroos’ fans have been in the past few years.
The thrill was justified too because the grey clouds over Ballarat wasn’t the only provider of gloom in the first half when North Melbourne found themselves 31 points down against a mid-strength Collingwood team.
The Kangaroos were battling and needed to find something to give their supporters’ hope ahead of round one given what Harry Sheezel described as an embarrassing performance against Melbourne in a match simulation a week earlier.
That they did was a credit to them with Sheezel telling Fox Footy post-game it was important to “practise that winning feeling” after the Kangaroos had held on to their lead in a desperate final minute.
Sheezel led the way for the KangaroosCredit: Getty Images
It was the Kangaroos’ senior players – Jy Simpkin, Luke Parker and Caleb Daniel – who had let them down early with poor ball use when kicking with the wind in the first quarter. They regularly caused turnovers going inside 50. Their inability to get out of the blocks allowed the Magpies to be level at the first break then open up a five-goal lead just before half-time.
The much-needed spark came via SSP signing Tom Blamires who had a purple patch just before half-time where he dominated on the wing, finding targets inside 50 and turning the ball over within the strike zone across half forward. Along with Luke Urquhart’s impressive work inside the stoppage and Jacob Konstanzy’s fierce pressure inside 50, the Kangaroos began to battle their way into the contest.
Luke Davies-Uniacke was dominating as expected, given the players missing from Collingwood, and eventually in the third quarter with the wind at their back North Melbourne began to be rewarded.
With Cooper Trembath making an impact after replacing the solid Jack Darling at half-time, the Roos had registered five consecutive goals to claim the lead when Cam Zurhaar kicked straight midway through the third quarter.
It appeared as though Collingwood’s inexperience was beginning to tell, with Brayden Maynard, who was captain for the day, and Isaac Quaynor defending as though four points were on the line.
Collingwood’s senior players led the charge with Josh Daicos classy, Beau McCreery was explosive at times and Jack Buller played as the instructions he came with to create a contest up forward. Lachie Schultz’s attack on the ball was vigorous and kept the Magpies competitive which was encouraging given the experience they have returning.
The moment
It was a moment in the second quarter North Melbourne defender Charlie Comben would want to forget. He made an error during a handball chain which had become increasingly frantic across halfback when he referred the pressure to Caleb Daniel which caused a turnover. Comben panicked and in his attempt to redeem himself he dived at a loose ball 20 metres out from goal and thumped it through the Magpies’ goal. The umpire had no choice but to award a free kick for a deliberate rushed behind and Collingwood converted. Comben is good aerially but needs to work on his poise when the ball hits the ground.
Charlie Comben has plenty of improvemnt in himCredit: AFL Photos
The eye-catcher
Blamires won a spot on the list last week and he took no time showing why. Wearing Jackson Archer’s No.34, he dominated the game late in the second quarter with his attack on the ball, poise kicking inside 50 and tackling pressure. Paul Curtis missed the goalscoring opportunity Blamires provided but the team responded to his efforts to kick the final three goals of the quarter.
Collingwood’s Charlie West played one AFL match last season before injury, but he is a smart forward who should gain more opportunities in 2026. Defender Wil Parker is in the same boat and has a future with a last quarter tackle on Paul Curtis match-winning. The Magpies will also be forced to play Joel Cochran in round zero with Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe injured. Cochran was solid and kicked a nice goal before being taken off at the final break to prepare him for next week.
Injuries
Collingwood were without Moore and Howe through injury and all Craig McRae would say pre-match was that Nick Daicos had run 10 kilometres on Sunday morning without outlining whether he was battling a niggle. They are not planning on Bobby Hill being available this season but the other players rested – Scott Pendlebury, Tim Membrey, Steele Sidebottom, Jamie Elliott, Jordan De Goey and Jack Crisp – should play.
North Melbourne’s Tristan Xerri did not worry about his own safety when he threw himself across a contest to spoil in the third quarter. He had a sore shoulder and ribs but it did not worry the tough ruckman who soldiered on.
The verdict
The eulogies were written for North Melbourne more than once in the first half but they responded to give their supporters hope they can get off to a good start against Port Adelaide in round one.
Finn O’Sullivan is ready to play in the midfield and was excellent in the third quarter revival. They are also building a bunch of young workers to complement the emerging stars, but they need their senior players to be better in crunch moments, particularly in defence. Lachy Dovaston, a small forward who was the Kangaroos’ first pick in last year’s national draft, has class and will play in round one after kicking three goals.
Collingwood exposed their youth which was interesting with most putting in reasonable rather than outstanding performances. Angus Anderson was missing after an excellent performance in the opening match simulation. Buller is a lock to play opening round and Oscar Steene is a chance to make his debut but the old firm will return under lights at the MCG against St Kilda.
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