Roos holds off Firey Power to keep in touch with top four

MATCH REPORT

October 15, 2022.
15:00

NORTH Melbourne have kept their first four prospects alive after withstanding a tough challenge from expansion side Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval on Saturday.

The Kangaroos trailed by five points in the quarter before their experience and class showed through, going five to one from that point to go home by 25 points.

The 7.12 (54) to 4.5 (29) victory lifts the Kangaroos (5-3) to sixth in the table and just four Premiership points behind second-placed Melbourne.

Jasmine Garner showed why she is one of the stars of the competition, collecting 28 eliminations and scoring two goals.

POWER v KANGAROOS Full Match Coverage & Statistics

Ashleigh Riddell and Captain Emma Kearney had 21 and 20 eliminations respectively, while Alice O’Loughlin threw two majors.

Power vice-captain Ange Foley and young Hannah Ewings had 16 eliminations apiece.

The Power started strong with a physical brand of football.

Foley made the most of a breeze behind his back with a 55m bomb that cleared the field and rebounded for his team’s opening goal.

Returning star Gemma Houghton – in her first game in six weeks after ankle surgery – and Justin Mules followed suit to give the Power a five-point advantage in the quarter.

Garner put the Kangaroos back in front before ruck Emma King showed great aplomb to dodge her opponent and score the goal.

Power debutant Lily Johnson really kicked with six seconds on the clock to cut the deficit to three points – 4.5 (29) to 4.2 (26) – at halftime.

Sophie Abbalangelo scored the only goal of a tight third quarter, before O’Loughlin’s second goal gave the Kangaroos some respite.

Have you seen this?
The Power got off to a great start. Justine Mules dropped a mark to the chest, but more than made up for it with an incredible shot that rebounded for the team’s third goal. But credit goes to Ebony O’Dea for his brave attack on the ball in defense that started the goal string.

The difference
The Kangaroos threw captain Emma Kearney into midfield at half-time to get a bit more dominance. The move had the desired effect, as the battle-hardened Kangaroos onballers began to take over the field against the Power’s young onball brigade.

Next
North Melbourne faces a tough challenge against premiership contenders Collingwood at Victoria Park next Saturday at 1.10pm (AEDT). Meanwhile, Port Adelaide hit the road for the final time this season when they take on St Kilda at RSEA Park next Sunday at 1.10pm (AEDT).

PORT ADELAIDE 3.1 4.2 4.3 4.5 (29)
MELBOURNE NORTH 2.2 4.5 5.8 7.12 (54)

GOALS
Port Adelaide: Foley, Houghton, Mules, Johnson
North of Melbourne: O’Loughlin 2, Garner 2, Randall, E King, Abbatangelo

BETTER
Port Adelaide: Foley, O’Dea, Phillips, Boag, Surman, Yorston
North of Melbourne: Garner, Kearney, Riddell, M King, Abbatangelo, Brown

INJURIES
Port Adelaide: None
North of Melbourne: None

LATE CHANGES
Port Adelaide: None
North of Melbourne: None

Reports: None

Crowd: TBC at Alberton Oval