David Noble and North Melbourne have fallen far short of their second win and the biggest surprise of the season as Collingwood turned the switch in the final quarter to record a seven-point win.
Convincingly, the best team in the first three quarters, the Roos fell in the final term and simply couldn’t get a boost. Ben McKay (11 interceptions) led the north bottom line as they defended for their lives, but were unable to hold on under the weight of the numbers.
Several reports had suggested that the end of David Noble’s tenure in North Melbourne was approaching after 11 consecutive defeats of 47 points or more, and all eyes were on how big Collingwood’s victory would be on Saturday afternoon.
But it was the Roos who got off to a good start, producing a football the league hadn’t seen of them this season as they cut Collingwood’s defense with ease.
Nick Larkey came in early and fired throughout the game as the Roos finally found a way to score. His great key striker finished with five goals.
Although there were momentum changes in the first quarter, Noble’s men struggled to take the lead with the top three in the second quarter and maintained momentum during the middle quarters.
They were the best team in that period, and all eyes shifted to the final quarter to see if North could take the evil out of the season.
But three goals for the Pies in the first five minutes of that period put the writing on the wall, topping the top with five majors to head to the last term in 30 minutes of football that will haunt David Noble and North Melbourne.
While it ultimately didn’t change the outcome, Collingwood fans made their feelings about the refereeing felt on several occasions during the clash.
In the first half, Todd Goldstein received two free throws for seemingly insignificant ruck infractions, the veteran able to turn both into goals as the Roos took a 20-point lead at the break.
The other decision that will divide the fans was the decision to keep the ball on Jack Ginnivan of Collingwood in the third term.
With Collingwood, Ginnivan had a chance to cut the margin to individual figures when Luke Davies-Uniacke cornered the pocket of his 50-year-old striker.
The young Pies went for a free kick when he grabbed the tackle, dropped his knees and raised his neck to Davies-Uniacke’s arm, but the referee refused to fall and paid for holding the ball. .
When the boos rang for the ‘G, former Giants coach Leon Cameron dissected the call in comments for AFL Nation.
“It looked like he had dropped his shoulder, so it’s one or the other,” he said.
Exceptional arbitration. Players who deliberately get hooked on tackles don’t deserve to be rewarded with a free kick. Very well awarded #AFLPiesNorth
– Campbell brown (@ Browndogg_30x) July 9, 2022
Ginnivan finished the match with two goals in his name, while Davies Uniacke was one of the best on the field with 33 possessions.
He also fell to his knees on a three-minute play to play to suck a high free kick to the indignation of Northern fans.
Surprisingly, but not surprisingly, Craig McRae addressed Nick Daicos when the game was in play. The youngster had spent most of the first half out of the half, but was thrown in the middle and played as a mid-high striker for much of the final two quarters.
“It could be the answer to trying to provide that spark to the Pies,” Cameron said in a comment.
“Everything he’s touched turns to gold … they’re trying to spin the wheels to give it a little spark.”
The 19-year-old moved to another level and threw the game goal in the final quarter, a pocket brilliance that reduced the margin to just eight points.
“You must be kidding, what can’t this kid do,” Andy Maher exclaimed.
“A Moment of Pure Football Magic by Nick Daicos.”
Daicos finished with 21 eliminations with a 90 percent efficiency to be back in the best handful on the ground.
It is Collingwood’s seventh straight win, putting the club in the fight for the top four and sitting in fifth place on the ladder.
With Arden Street in the middle of a mid-season review, the Roos presented possibly their best performance of the year. It remains to be seen if that will be enough to save Noble his job, but at least he can be expected to see it one more week.
The question is: was it lightning for North in a final attempt to save Noble’s job, or is that what can be expected for the rest of the season? Much is based on the answer.
COMPLETE SCORE
Collingwood: 4.2, 5.2, 8.5, 13.10 (88)
North Melbourne: 4.2, 8.4, 12.7 and 12.9 (81)
GOALS
Collingwood: Cameron 2, Ginnivan 2, Elliot 2, Sidebottom 2, J. Daicos, N. Daicos, McReery, Mihocek
North Melbourne: Larkey 5, Goldstein 2, Ziebell 2, Taylor, Zurhaar, Curtis
BETTER
Collingwood: N. Daicos, Cameron, J. Daicos, Pendlebury, Elliot
North Melbourne: Davies-Uniacke, Larkey, Anderson, Goldstein, Ziebell
INJURIES
Collingwood: Adams (chief)
North Melbourne: Stephenson