A Drubbing That Left North Melbourne Coach Alastair Clarkson Reflecting
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson is hoping that the team’s recent 68-point defeat to Adelaide was an unusual occurrence. He believes there’s no point in focusing on the loss or venting about it, as the Crows delivered a performance that was both unexpected and overwhelming.
The Crows showcased their best quarter in nearly 11 years during the second term, scoring 10.4 against just 0.2. This impressive display contributed to their final score of 20.13 (133) to 9.11 (65).
“Where did it come from? I don’t know, because we haven’t seen it for the year,” Clarkson said. “So there’s part of us to say, well, treat it like an aberration and get on with next week … look at some of the reasons why it fell away so badly in that second quarter, and get going again.”
Adelaide’s second-quarter performance was their highest in a quarter since round 20 in 2015. Only six times have the Crows scored more in any term in their history.
“That second quarter was some of the best footy I’ve seen by a team for a long time,” Clarkson added. “Everything that you could possibly want from a side, they were able to do. And everything that you didn’t want from a side was happening to us.”
The Crows, who now have six wins and four losses, managed to kick 13 consecutive goals while increasing their percentage points significantly in their victory over the Roos, who have four wins and six losses.
“We had enough pressure on our opposition that we earned the right to play the way we know we want to play,” said Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks.
Eight players from the Crows finished with multiple goals: Josh Rachele kicked three, and Jake Soligo, Luke Nankervis, Lachlan McAndrew, Ben Keays, Toby Murray, and James Peatling each scored two.
Izak Rankine (28 disposals, one goal), triple club champion Rory Laird (25 disposals), his fellow defender Josh Worrell (24), and captain Jordan Dawson (24, one goal) also played a significant role in the team’s success.
North Melbourne, after leading 16-0 and having the initial eight inside-50s of the game, struggled in the second quarter. Seven Roos players didn’t touch the football during this period, which was a stark contrast to their strong start.
“We haven’t seen it for the year – you don’t like ever seeing it,” Clarkson said. “But we’ve just got to get ourselves back on the bike again and get going again for next week. It’s no point jumping up and down about it.”
At one point in the second quarter, the Crows’ pressure rating reached 294 – a figure considered high when it exceeds 185.
Adelaide’s dominant performance created a 66-point halftime lead, with a score of 14.6 to 3.6. However, Clarkson found one positive aspect in the second half, where both teams scored six goals each, and North did not completely collapse.
“When you concede 14 goals in a half of footy, very easily could that turn into a 100-point loss,” he said.
Luke Parker led the ball-winners for the visitors with 28 disposals, followed by Harry Sheezel (24) and Luke Davies-Uniacke (22). Paul Curtis (three goals) was the Kangas’ only multiple scorer.
