AFL Round 17: All the news, reaction and scores from the Monday night clash between West Coast and North Melbourne

North Melbourne has shoved a massive dagger into West Coast’s premiership hopes with an upset 10-point win at Optus Stadium on Monday night.

The Kangaroos, sparked by a brilliant performance from former Pie Jaidyn Stephenson, fought back from 11 points down early in the final term and kicked three of the last four goals of the game to record just their third win for the season.

Watch The 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Jaidyn Stephenson roars after a goal during his matchwinning performance. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

The Kangaroos side taking the field now is a far cry from the one that lost their first eight games by an average of 51 points, including a massive 128-point flogging from the Bulldogs in Round 3.

Since the bye, the Roos have recorded wins over West Coast and Gold Coast and a draw with Greater Western Sydney. Their two losses have been to top-four teams, Brisbane and Western Bulldogs, by just 23 points and 29 points, respectively.

“It was really important,” Noble said of the win.

“The experience the guys have gained tonight, playing a mature team, a team in the finals, in a hostile environment, to show that grit, is a massive tick to the players.

“It’s a significant night for the club.

Cameron Zurhaar was a key man up forward for the Roos. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Noble said the leaders of the club had driven a new standard over the past eight weeks.

He said there was a mature discipline being shown consistently throughout the team and they weren’t scared to take the game on, playing through the middle of the ground.

“It’s not a risk, it’s the way we want to play,” he said.

“We had to score beat them.

“If the Eagles were going to beat us, they were going to earn it.

“We have built some good systems since the bye.

“We don’t want to finish on the bottom.

“The younger guys are getting a taste of what that level needs to be on a permanent basis.

“Our systems are now at a level that we’ll be competitive in every quarter.

“Is this a landmark win? It could be. It’s a significant achievement.”

The Eagles spurned a chance to regain some form and respect and pinch back seventh spot on the table.

But, after three losses on the trot, including big defeats at the hands of the Western Bulldogs (55 points) and Sydney (92 points in Geelong last week), a finals appearance is now no certainty.

The Eagles still sit in eighth spot, but with a poor percentage and no momentum.

Considering the results already seen in Round 17, is the 10.10 (70) to 8.12 (60) win by the Roos really that much of a surprise?

The Eagles were left demoralised by the lowly Roos. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

PRESSURE STARTING TO SHOW

With two big losses leading into this clash and a spot in the top eight on the line, the cracks are more than starting to show for the Eagles.

Both teams showed aggression, but West Coast’s was easily more ill disciplined.

There were also signs of players starting to have serious words with teammates as the Kangaroos started to get on top in the third quarter; senior players.

There was a bit of niggle in the game, especially in the first half. Most of it was started by the Eagles players as they failed to make the most of their opportunities.

Liam Ryan then turned the ball away with a free kick 40m away from where his teammate, Zac Langdon was having a shot at goal to draw first blood in the second half.

When Tim Kelly gave away a 50m penalty, just before three-quarter time for running into Todd Goldstein’s protective area, the Eagles lost all momentum and the lead.

The MRO has at least one incident to look at, with Tarryn Thomas and Jamie Cripps both reported for wrestling in the second term, in a bout that went longer than some recent UFC fights; that also dragged in a few other combatants.

Todd Goldstein leads the Roos off after a record-breaking performance in the win. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

TOP KNOCK TODD

There was a touching historic milestone achieved in the first quarter, when Goldstein rose to the top of the all-time hitout table with a tap down to Bailey Scott inside the Roos forward 50m area.

It came 24 minutes into the veteran ruckman’s 267th game.

His seventh tap took for the game him to a career total of 8503, one ahead of former Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands, who retired in 2019 after 271 games.

The pair are the only two to have reached career hit-outs tallies of 7000, or more.

Goldstein had eight hit-outs in the opening term, opposed to Nic Naitanui’s seven, but the Eagles won clearances 14 to five for the quarter and led by five points at the first break.

With 11 clearances and 20 touches, Naitanui took the ruck honours for the night, but Goldstein took a massive mark and kicked a goal in the late stages of the game to help confirm the result.

Jy Simpkin had plenty of it for the Roos. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

LESSON LEARNED

The Eagles let the Kangaroos off the hook in the first quarter.

All the important stats fell the home side’s way, but with 2.5 on the board, they failed to make the most of their chances.

And the frustrations started to show.

Realising they were still in the game, David Noble and his men tweaked a few things in the second term and it started to pay dividends straight away.

They followed the template set by the Swans a week earlier and focused on winning clearances and contested possessions and the tide of the game started to turn.

Norths won in both categories in the second term and managed to keep the margin a manageable eight points at the main break – and that was only because of a 40m set shot goal from Oscar Allen on the halftime siren.

Jaidyn Stephenson, Ben Cunnington and Jy Simpkin were responsible for the spark.

The Kangaroos carried the momentum into the third quarter, keeping the Eagles goalless for the term.

While one team was playing for a spot in the top eight, it was the Kangaroos that took the game on were prepared to take risks running the ball through the middle of the ground.

When Nick Larkey kicked his second goal for the term and third for the game, Norths led by a game-high 11 points.

Midfield bull Ben Cunnington was at his dependable best. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

SCOREBOARD

WEST COAST 2.5 3.10 3.12 8.12 (60)

def by

NORTH MELBOURNE 2.0 3.2 6.5 10.10 (70)

GOALS

Eagles: Kennedy 2, Allen 2, Ryan 2; Kelly, Langdon

Kangaroos: Larky 3; Zurhaar 2, Goldstein 2; Thomas, Cunnington, Stephenson

BRAD ELBOROUGH’S BEST

Eagles: Kelly, Rotham, Naitanui, Sheed, Gaff, Shuey

Kangaroos: Stephenson, Simpkin, Cunnington, Larky, Ziebell, Davies-Uniacke.

BRAD ELBOROUGH’S VOTES

3 — Jaidyn Stephenson (Kangaroos)

2 — Jy Simpkin (Kangaroos

1 — Ben Cunnington (Kangaroos)

INJURIES

Eagles: Nil

Kangaroos: Nil

Umpires: Margetts, Dalgleish, Johanson.

Venue: Optus Stadium

Originally published asStevo special: Roo recruit sparks ’landmark win’

Source: Read Full Article