Grand Final Day 1996
Reserves Grand Final, Essendon vs. North Melbourne
Game Statistics
ESSENDON.........1.0 2.5 2.9 7.10 (52)
NORTH MELBOURNE..4.3 7.11 15.14 23.18 (156)
Goals:
ESSENDON: Caracella 3, Wellman, Fraser, Ukovic, Dimattina 1.
NORTH MELBOURNE: Daniltchenko 4, M Stevens, Cochrane 3, Lissenden, Geister, Nichols 2, Campbell, Armstrong, McFarlane, Harvey, Welsh, D Stevens, Contessa 1.
Comment:
Well, to say it was a disappointing result for the club would be an understatement. But to get an idea of why there was a 173 point turn-around from two weeks ago, one must look at the circumstances surrounding the game. The seniors had just missed out on a Grand Final by one point, and needless to say the atmosphere around the club was very morbid during the week. The team was severely undermanned, forced to play eight supplementary list players. The whole atmosphere within the North Melbourne Football Club was one of anticipation and excitement, which of course rubbed off on their seconds team and lifted them also. Plus given the fact that North finished on top of the reserves ladder and won the reserves flag last year, well, now it might be a little easier to see why the Bombers went down in such devastating fashion.
But given all the excuses in the world, the team did play very badly in what many thought would be a good Grand Final. Such a loss is not the sort of thing that the club would like to finish the season on, nor have to live with over the summer break. Yet it seems like after last week, the players hearts weren't really in this one. Since Mark Thompson had taken over the coaching role when Mark Williams went to Adelaide, he had been quite successful. Unfortunately he didn't get a proper send off, after what was surely his last senior season. He played only eight games this year, all in the first half of the season. If the reserves had have won Bomber fans at the ground would have been able to show their appreciation for all his time at the club. I'm sure he'll get a proper farewell next year. In any case, that's the end of another season for the Bombers. Whilst neither reserves nor senior team took out the major prize, both had quite successful years. Let's hope 1997 is bigger and better than ever for the Dons.
This being my last match reports for the year, I want to thank all those people who have supported me throughout the year. Those of you who have read the reports and given me feedback, or just dropped a line to say thanks. Of course I also have to thank the people out at Essendon, especially Alan Murphy this year. Anyway, this is Brad signing off for another season (although stick around over summer, because I'll still have reports on things like the Best and Fairest next week; summer training; the draft, etc. etc.), and as they say in the classics...
Go Bombers!!
- Brad
Senior Grand Final 1996, North Melbourne vs. Sydney
Game Statistics
NORTH MELBOURNE....3.2 8.7 12.14 19.17 (131)
SYDNEY.............6.2 8.5 9.7 13.10 (89)
Goals:
NORTH MELBOURNE: Freeborn, Crocker 3, Stevens, Roberts, Sholl, Allison 2, Rock, Fairly, Carey, Bell, Simpson 1.
SYDNEY: Lockett 6, O'Loughlin, Luff 2, Cresswell, Mooney, Kickett 1.
Crowd:
93,102 at the MCG.
Comment:
Well at least this year we had a game for part of the Grand Final. Sydney came out firing in the first quarter, surprising most people, and has a substantial lead at quarter time. North Melbourne looked like their deflated counterpart in the pre-match entertainment. But from then on it was nearly all North. They dominated all over the ground, and proceeded on to win a much deserved flag after many years of hard work. Glen Archer was the surprise Norm Smith Medallist, with Carey and Schwass also outstanding. For a good review of the match online, check out The Age home page, or some of the other footy pages on the net. - Brad
Preliminary Final
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