18/07/2008 10:25 PM
Jonathan Healy at Telstra Dome
North Melbourne has moved up to sixth place on the ladder after registering an 18-point victory over Collingwood at the Telstra Dome on Friday night.
The Roos trailed by 13 points at half-time, but booted 12 goals to seven from that point on to clinch the 17.12 (114) to 14.12 (96) win.
It was the dominant work of Drew Petrie in the ruck and the tireless running of Daniel Wells that swung the game the way of North Melbourne during the third term as the Kangaroos piled on seven goals to three to take a 10-point advantage into the final break.
When John Anthony kicked the first goal of the final term the Pies were within three points, but the experienced heads of Adam Simpson, Brent Harvey and Shannon Grant combined to ensure North held on.
Petrie finished the match with 20 disposals, 11 marks and 26 hitouts in a best on ground performance, while Wells, Harvey and Simpson provided plenty of support.
Scott Pendlebury, Alan Didak and Scott Burns were among the best for the Pies, but they failed to have many four quarter contributors and were outplayed comprehensively after half-time.
Earlier, Collingwood looked the more likely side to win the match as North lacked fluency when entering attack during the opening half, while the Pies went forward with style, despite missing Anthony Rocca up forward.
With Rocca out of the side and Paul Medhurst and Travis Cloke well held by Josh Gibson and Michael Firrito respectively, the Pies looked to Anthony in the first half and he duly put his side in a good position early in the match.
Things turned around early in the third term, however, as Petrie got on top of Cameron Wood and Chris Bryan in the ruck and North's onballers were handed first use of the ball in the middle of the ground.
Wells, along with Daniel Harris, Brady Rawlings and Harvey pumped the ball forward quickly as North booted four goals in the opening nine minutes of the third term to wrest the advantage.
Goals to Nick Maxwell, Medhurst and Dane Swan allowed the Pies to regain the lead, but Petrie and Wells stepped up to ensure North held a slender advantage at the final change.
Pendlebury and Medhurst tried to lift Collingwood in the final term, but its lack of forward power hurt as North Melbourne picked up its eight win of the season and put a huge dent in the top-four hopes of the Magpies.
NORTH MELBOURNE: 1.4, 5.6, 12.8, 17.12 (114)
COLLINGWOOD: 3.3, 7.7, 10.10, 14.12 (96)
GOALS: NORTH MELBOURNE: Jones 3, Petrie 2, Goldstein 2, Grant 2, Hale, McMahon, Firrito, Ross, Pratt, Campbell, Harvey, Thomas
COLLINGWOOD: Anthony 4, Medhurst 2, Wellingham 2, Pendlebury, Didak, Swan, Lockyer, Maxwell, O'Bree
BEST: NORTH MELBOURNE: Petrie, Wells, Harvey, Simpson, Hansen, Campbell
COLLINGWOOD: Pendlebury, Burns, Didak, R.Shaw, Anthony, Swan
INJURIES: NORTH MELBOURNE: Pratt (ankle)
COLLINGWOOD: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Wellingham (Collingwood) replaced in selected side by Davis
UMPIRES: McBurney, James, Jeffery
CROWD: 46,610 at the Telstra Dome
Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes:
3. Drew Petrie (North Melbourne)
2. Daniel Wells (North Melbourne)
1. Brent Harvey (North Melbourne)