Live Updates – North Melbourne Kangaroos v Collingwood Magpies – Round 16 from Telstra Dome

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AFL Round 16 – North Melbourne Kangaroos v Collingwood Magpies – 7:40pm AEST Live from Telstra Dome

Huge clash tonight at Telstra Dome between two sides who desperately need a win. The Kangaroos are in a dire struggle for a top 8 berth and are coming off a high after their gutsy win in Adelaide last week. The Pies have got a sniff of the top 4 with the recent form of the Swans so they will be looking to seize on the opportunity that has come their way.

Dean Laidley has brought in Corey Jones and Shannon Grant – the latter who missed a week suspended as a result of the much publicised ‘Golf Day incident’. Surprisingly Nathan Thompson has made way, as has youngster Blake Grima. The Pies have retained the same side that dealt with the Crows last week in clinical fashion.

Leon Davis reportedly missing from the Collingwood warm up so there could be a chance of a late change for the Pies.

Wellingham in for Leon Davis.

Bruce excited early doors, Holy Grail pumping in the background, ITS ON!!!!

Alan Didak will be looking for a big game after missing a sitter that would have given the Pies a win earlier this year against the Kangaroos.

Adam Simpson wins the toss and the Kangas will kick to the right of screen.

Jack Anthony with the big bald nut going.

Late money for the Pies see them firm into $1.38 whilst the Kangas are $3.00 at TAB Sportsbet.

1st Quarter

20:00 – Wakelin on Petrie. Brown on Hale.

19:02 – All the Kangas early with Lindsay Thomas having a flying shit at goal from the boundary and just missing. Kangas by a point. NM 1 Coll 0

17:13 – Pies getting numbers back early.

16:55 – Spud Firrito on Trav Cloke. Early win for Spud as he gets Cloke holding the ball.

16:01 – Poor marking by the Pies as Pratt is found wide open 50 out by Wells. Pratt gets the distance easily but is off target. NM 2 Coll 0

15:07 – Gibson is pinged holding the pill by Jack Anthony 30m out from goal. Jack goes back and makes no mistake. Pies get the first goal, against the run of play you could say. NM 2 Coll 6

14:39 – Bruce informs Anthony is yet to play in a losing team for the Pies, not quite at Cameron Ling’s level but he could get there.

14:03 – Fair Academy Award job by Daniel Pratt on the wing as he recieves a free kick for over the shoulder.

12:44 – Collingwood skills have been very ordinary so far.

11:34 – Both teams getting numbers back so quick movement needs to be the order of the day. The Pies force a turnover in the middle and go forward quick and Wood marks 50m out. He goes back and kicks a shocker that falls short and is punched through for a behind. NM 2 Coll 7

9:45 – Ben Ross picks up the loose pill across half forward runs to 45 and snaps at goal, hangs it out to the right hand side and its through for another Kangaroo behind. NM 3 Coll 7

9:05 – Campbell kicks forward for the Kangas and a blatant chop of the arms from Dale Thomas gives Shannon Grant a shot at goal from 30m out. He puts it straight through the centre and the Kangas get a goal they deserved. NM 9 Coll 7

8:14 – Den tells us that Matthew James is the best bouncer amongst the current crop of umpires. I reckon Shane Stewart might have something to say about that. Stewart would certainly have him beat for height.

7:20 – Rhyce Shaw recieves a great handball from Wellingham streams inside 50 and in true Rhyce Shaw fashion he sprays the kick. NM 9 Coll 8

5:58 – Great play by Spud Firrito off half back, gives it to Boomer Harvey who kicks to a Shannon Grant v Heath Shaw matchup, Grant takes the grab 40m out. Grant goes back and the kick drifts across the face and through for a point. NM 10 Coll 8

4:40 – Cameron Wood wont be looking forward to seeing the video on Monday. Not the greatest effort to mark a high ball on his own in the Kangaroo forward line.

3:31 – Pies go forward through Cheesey O’Bree who kicks to Jack Anthony at half forward. Jack kicks it to Lockyear 25m out from goal, he traps the ball and runs around and snaps the goal from 20m on a slight angle. NM 10 Coll 14

1:20 – Great play by Goldsack across half back as he beats Corey Jones in a big one on one battle.

0:03 – Pies stream through the middle thanks to some great work from Pendles. He handballs to Didak and from 40m out on the run you can mark this down – GOAL!!! NM 10 Coll 21

Quarter Time – North Melbourne 1.4 (10) to Collingwood 3.3 (21)
Pretty ordinary first quarter skill wise but the endeavour is definitely there. The Kangaroos probably had the better of the play in the quarter but the Pies capitalised on the opportunities when they had them. The late goal to Didak will certainly hurt the Kangas. Brent Harvey (8 touches) and Adam Simpson (6 touches) have been their usual busy selves. Whilst for the Pies, Rhyce Shaw (8 touches) has supplied plenty of run through the middle and Scott Pendlebury (9 touches) has done plenty of clever work around the ground.

2nd Quarter

19:48 – Kangas with the early centre break, Ben Ross kicks forward to the leading Lindsay Thomas who marks. Thomas goes back from 35m and kicks a shocker. One of the worst ive seen this year and its out of bounds for a boundary throw in.

19:06 – From the resulting throw in, Thomas redeems himself by picking up the loose ball and snapping home on his trusty left boot. NM 16 Coll 21

18:56 – This time its the Pies with the quick centre break, a quick kick forward from Didak lands in the arms of Dale Thomas. Thomas goes back and kicks from outside 50, he just doesn’t get the distance and it is rushed through for a behind. NM 16 Coll 22

18:02 – The Kangas move it forward quickly from the kick in, Boomer Harvey runs on to it, turns about 5 Pie players inside out, handballs to Corey Jones who snaps truly from 15m out. Great play from Boomer. NM 22 Coll 22

17:27 – Pies go forward where Hansen for the Kangas trys to gather the lose ball hes having all sorts of problems picking up the pill, Jack Anthony comes in and wraps him up and the umpire pings Hansen for holding the ball. Jack goes back from 35m out on a tight angle and has no problems slotting home the major. NM 22 Coll 28

16:05 – Big Jack Anthony running riot in the Pies forward line putting a great amount of pressure on the Kangaroo defenders.

14:30 – Pies really need to tighten up on Boomer Harvey, getting plenty of it through the middle.

14:11 – Daniel Pratt has just limped off the ground with a left ankle sprain, he is expected to be back.

13:55 – Rhyce Shaw recieves the ball about 60m out, O’Bree is free in the forward 50 and Shaw finds him. O’Bree goes back from 40m out and makes no mistake. Handy buffer for the Pies. NM 23 Coll 35

13:08 – Pies with another centre break and the long kick forward to a big pack of players, Wellingham one of the only players to stay down and crumb goes right too him, he straightens up and fires at the goal from 15m out and kicks it. Edge would be very happy with the performance of his high Premo Dream Team draft pick. NM 23 Coll 41

12:38 – The Kangas get the ball out of the middle this time, a chain of handballs results in Wells getting the ball who finds young Goldstein 35m out directly in front. Goldstein makes no mistake with the kick and kicks an important goal for the Roos. NM 29 Coll 41

10:59 – Heath Shaw marks just outside 50, chips short inside 50 and spots up Pendlebury about 45m out from goal. Pendlebury goes back and kicks it straight over the goal umpires hat. NM 29 Coll 47

8:18 – McMahon recieves the ball from Boomer Harvey about 60m out. McMahon chips short to Petrie who marks on the lead 45m out. His kick from just inside 50 is a ripper, and a much needed goal for the Kangas. NM 35 Coll 47

5:15 – Daniel Pratt has returned from the rooms and looks as though he is right to go again.

4:00 – Alan Didak running amok with 15 touches and a goal and he now has his third opponent.

2:48 – A ball up 15m out from the Pies goals results in Cameron Wood picking up the spillage. A quick shot at goal just misses and goes through for a behind. NM 35 Coll 49

Half Time – North Melbourne 5.6 (36) to Collingwood 7.7 (49)
A fairly even second quarter where the Kangaroos did well to get back into the game after it looked like the Pies could run away with it early in the term. Boomer Harvey (15 touches) has been superb for the Kangas, whilst he has had solid support from Daniel Pratt (14 touches) and Daniel Wells (12 touches) who came into the game in that second quarter. The Kangaroos will need more from Wells if they are to get over the line. Daniel Harris (3 touches) has put in a stinker and the Kangas need to him to lift around the stoppages, an area that he is usually very good at. For Collingwood, Alan Didak (15 touches, 1 goal) has been the star and as mentioned before is on to his third opponent. Scott Pendlebury (15 touches, 1 goal), Rhyce Shaw (17 touches), and Shane O’Bree (14 touches, 1 goal) have all been great through the midfield for the Pies. A special mention to Jack Anthony (2 goals) up forward, not only is he supporting the new bald dome, but is providing great pressure on the Kangaroo defenders when the ball goes forward. I’m off to grab a Tooheys Extra Dry and recharge the batterys, so I hope you can join me shortly for the start of the second half.

3rd Quarter

19:28 – Daniel Wells playing a loose man in defense.

19:14 – Sam Power – TOO SLOW

18:42 – Petrie is free in the middle he recieves the ball from Wells, Petrie kicks long towards Corey Jones who marks on the lead 36m out. Jones goes back and slots it through. Important first goal to the Kangas. NM 42 Coll 49

16:29 – Wells gathers the ball through the middle and kicks low and hard inside 50 and Spud Firrito marks 45m out. He goes back and puts it straight through the middle. That was Spud’s first goal for the year. NM 48 Coll 49

15:50 – The Pies really need to do something about Daniel Wells being a lose man in defense.

15:42 – Scott Pendlebury has just come off the ground with a leg injury.

15:29 – Brent Harvey recieves the ball on the wing and kicks to Drew Petrie who recieves a very soft free kick. He goes back from outside 50 and kicks the goal. The Kangas have hit the front. NM 54 Coll 49

14:42 – ATTN: MICK MALTHOUSE – DONT ALLOW DANIEL WELLS TO BE LOOSE ACROSS HALF BACK, HE IS CARVING YOUR SIDE UP

14:15 – Wells gathers across half back, kicks long to an open Shannon Grant on 50. Grant kicks to Campbell who recieves a free kick 30m out on a tight angle. He makes no mistake and the Kangas have come out firing in this third term. NM 60 Coll 49

13:47 – The Kangas once again get the ball out of the middle, a chain of handballs ends in Ben Ross who kicks to Corey Jones who marks inside 50. Jones goes back from 45m and misses across the face of goal. The Pies really need the next one. NM 61 Coll 49

12:24 – The Pies get the ball forward it ends up with O’Bree who was very lucky not to be pinged holding the ball. He ends up getting it to Maxwell who snaps home from just inside 50. A much needed goal for the Pies. NM 61 Coll 55

11:36 – Scott Burns tackles Ben Ross and hes gone, holding the pill. Burns kicks long and Medhurst marks 13m out and makes no mistake. Two quick goals to the Pies and the scores are level. NM 61 Coll 61

10:46 – Daniel Wells still loose across half back.

8:22 – CLEVER, CLEVER, CLEVER – Little dinky kick from Alan Didak into space, Dane Swan runs on to it, steadys and slams home the goal. Pies with the last three goals. NM 61 Coll 68

7:06 – Long kick forward by Petrie, Harding grabs the crumb, handballs to Grant, who snaps from 10m out and slams it into the post. Really should have kicked that one. NM 62 Coll 68

6:39 – Note to Ben Johnson – Don’t handball to a ruckman running past when he is likely to be under pressure.

5:08 – Poor play from Tyson Goldsack, who coughs the ball up too easily in the Kangas forward line, the big fella Goldstein mops up and snaps truly on the left foot from 15m. NM 68 Coll 68

4:27 – Benny Johnson has been very ordinary this quarter, just gave away a crucial in the back free kick in the middle of the ground.

3:42 – Urquhat kicks long into the Kangas forward line. Heath Shaw illegally shephards McMahon out of the contest. Was an obvious free kick. McMahon goes back and makes no mistake. Heath Shaw is having a shocker. NM 74 Coll 68

2:03 – Pendlebury recieves the ball from Wood, who then kicks just inside 50 to Travis Cloke who marks, he kicks towards goal but its across the face of goal and Maxwell marks. He quickly handballs to Didak who tries to slam it on to the boot but has an air swing and the Kangas rush it through for a behind.

0:45 – Kangas go forward and the quick hands of Shannon Grant give it to Ben Ross who snaps home a goal from 12m out. A handy break now for the Kangas and the Pies are going to have to find something. NM 80 Coll 70

Three Quarter Time – North Melbourne 12.8 (80) to 10.10 (70)
Big third quarter from the Kangaroos, which has set them up as the most likely winners. Drew Petrie (16 touches, 21 hitouts) was huge in that quarter, he seemed to be everywhere. Boomer Harvey (18 touches) continued his good work and Daniel Wells (21 touches) was damaging as a loose man in defense. Daniel Harris (12 touches) really got involved in that quarter aswell, picking up 9 touches. For the Pies it was more of the same with Pendlebury (19 touches, 1 goal) and Didak (19 touches, 1 goal) continuing to look dangerous. Dane Swan (18 touches, 1 goal) really came into the game, and the Pies will need one of his famous last quarters. At this stage the Kangas look the most likely winners, but you could never count the Pies out.

4th Quarter

18:48 – Ben Ross coming off the ground with an injury.

18:39 – From a boundary throw in the ball goes over the back of the pack, Rhyce Shaw punches it forward and Anthony grabs it and snaps a goal from 20m. Big goal for the Pies. NM 80 Coll 77

18:22 – Pies intercept the Kangaroos handball in the middle, Swan streams inside 50, should kick this and he misses. Big Miss that, would have given the Pies the lead. NM 80 Coll 78

16:00 – Kangas go forward through a scrubber kick from Thomas, Harvey picks up and snaps at goal it goes straight up in the air and Hale marks 10m out. From point blank range he makes no mistake. NM 86 Coll 78

14:04 – Why is Marty Clarke kicking out?

13:59 – Kangas retrieve the Pies kick in, its goes through hands, ends up with Pratt who kicks the goal from 40m. Pies in all sorts now. NM 94 Coll 78

13:35 – Very dumb football by Collingwood, they continually bomb it long when Kangas have excess numbers back.

12:50 – Tyson Goldsack very ordinary again. Pies let the ball get at the back of the pack, Boomer Harvey runs on it and kicks to Corey Jones would marks 30m out from goal. He kicks the goal and that could be the nail in the coffin. NM 100 Coll 78

10:54 – Pies have given up here. Power kicks forward and Rawlings marks 50m out. He kicks this and its all over, just falls short and is rushed through for a behind.

9:49 – Cloke marks outside 50 and gets it to Medhurst. Medhust centres the ball to 30m out and Wellingham marks. He must kick this goal, and he does. NM 102 Coll 84

7:29 – GAME OVER. Campbell runs on to a loose ball on the wing, he flys inside 50 draws the man, handballs over the top to Shannon Grant who kicks it to the top tier. NM 108 Coll 84

6:55 – Medhurst marks just outside 50, plays on to just inside 50 and puts it straight through the centre. Hasnt done much tonight Medhurst. NM 108 Coll 90

6:38 – When you are three goals down im not sure why you would allow the opposition to have a loose man in defense.

4:18 – Not sure why Collingwood continually bomb it long when the Kangaroos have smashed them in the air all night. They have played some really dumb football tonight.

3:09 – Rhyce Shaw recieves the ball just outside 50, kicks inside 50 to a leading John Anthony who marks 30m out. He kicks truly. Hes kicked 4 and has played well. NM 108 Coll 96

1:53 – Shane O’Bree is pulled up for a throw, gives the umpire a gobful and gives away 50. Brent Harvey to shoot from 35m out and he makes no mistake. NM 114 Coll 96

Full Time – North Melbourne 17.12 (114) def. Collingwood 14.12 (96)
Great second half performance by North Melbourne against a very dissapointing Collingwood. Was always going to be a huge result for the winner tonight with the Kangas now in the Top 8. The Kangaroos just seem to want it more when it mattered and once again the Pies have fallen to a team below them on the ladder. Drew Petrie (20 touches, 11 marks, 26 hitouts) and Brent Harvey (27 touches, 1 goal) were both sensational for the Roos. Daniel Wells (27 touches) came good after quarter time, especially when he was freed up across half back. Spud Firrito did a great job on Travis Cloke too. For Collingwood, like many of his teammates Alan Didak (21 touches, 1 goal) had a great first half but went missing in the second half, Scott Pendlebury (25 touches, 1 goal) was solid all night, and Dane Swan (22 touches, 1 goal) had a big second half. Jack Anthony (4 goals) was the only Collingwood forward to put in a four quarter performance, with Medhurst (11 touches, 2 goals) getting a couple of late goals and Travis Cloke (9 touches) having a shocker. In the end the Pies just had too many quality players who were well below their best tonight, something that you can’t afford against the Kangas who always put in a consistent performance.

Drew Petrie won the Jason McCartney Medal for Best on Ground and you couldn’t have too many arguments with that.

Hope you enjoyed the live update – please leave us a comment with your feedback on tonights game or what you though of the live update.