Roos defy the odds with grinding win to book Perth prelim - AFL.com.au

Roos defy the odds with grinding win to book Perth prelim

Adam Curley September 19, 2015 10:00 PM

NORTH Melbourne has become the first team to qualify for a preliminary final from eighth place after a grinding 26-point win over the Sydney Swans on Saturday night.

After a sloppy first half from both sides, the Roos pulled away in the final term to record a 11.11 (77) to 7.9 (51) win at ANZ Stadium.

The win was made more remarkable with Robbie Tarrant a late withdrawal after tweaking his groin in the warm-up. Tarrant was replaced by Luke McDonald, who kicked his first career goal late in the first term.

Roos forward Drew Petrie was in the wars, injuring his knee in third term only to return and clash heads heavily with Gary Rohan in the final term.

Both players were taken from the field with only Petrie returning. 

The first term saw a close low-scoring slog that ended in two goals apiece, with the Roos getting on top in the latter stages. The Kangaroos scored both their goals from intercept possessions.

While North Melbourne pulled two goals clear at half-time its disposal by foot hurt, with a number of clangers frustrating coach Brad Scott.

The Swans held a clear advantage in the third term, with 10 more inside 50s but couldn’t convert, unable to close the gap.

When North Melbourne kicked the first three goals of the final term, the result was sealed.

Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington, Brent Harvey and Jarrad Waite were all crucial for the Roos.

The Swans, who exit the finals series in straight sets, farewelled Rhys Shaw and quite possibly Adam Goodes as well.

Josh Kennedy and Kurt Tippett continued their strong recent form with standout displays.

North Melbourne now travels to Perth to face West Coast for a chance to play in the Grand Final. 

More to come

SYDNEY SWANS         2.1   3.3    5.7   7.9      (51)
NORTH MELBOURNE  2.3    5.6   7.8  11.11   (77)

GOALS
Sydney Swans: Tippett 2, Goodes 2, Kennedy, Heeney, Hannebery
North Melbourne: Waite 3, Gibson 2, Atley, Goldstein, Harvey, Petrie, Thomas, McDonald

BEST
Sydney Swans: Kennedy, Tippett, Rampe, Goodes, Smith, Richards
North Melbourne: Cunnington, Higgins, Ziebell, Jacobs, Gibson, Waite, Macmillan

INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Gary Rohan (face)
North Melbourne: Nil 

SUBSTITUTES
Sydney Swans: Zak Jones replaced Lewis Jetta in the third quarter
North Melbourne: Lindsay Thomas replaced Kayne Turner in the fourth quarter
Reports: Nil

Umpires: Margetts, Dalgleish, Stevic
Crowd: 31,162 at ANZ Stadium

Roos defy the odds with grinding win to book Perth prelim - AFL.com.au