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I've tried writing this preview multiple times. I had all these jokes lined up, but each time when putting it into words it just came off as so forced and unfunny. Then it hit me, I don't need to make any jokes. North’s mere existence is inherently hilarious. So, I figured I'd just play this one with a straight bat and go through my favourite moments from some of my favourite matches between West Coast and North Melbourne.
1993 Elimination Final
West Coast 17.18 (120) defeated North Melbourne 11.3 (69)
A bit of a sleeper hit that I don't see too many talk about, but I guess 1993 was one of those seasons that leaves a bit of a sour taste. Despite that the win against Geelong in alphabet stadium and the 1993 Elimination final are games I remember fondly. This stunning goal from Peter Matera in the second quarter is one that always stuck with me:
To kick a checkside from that angle, from that far out is just brilliant. But it's almost matched by Chris Waterman's screamer only 10 minutes later:
2002 Round 22
West Coast 22.11 (143) defeated North Melbourne 18.18 (126)
Going through the highlights of this one was certainly a bit of a trip. It happened during a period of transition where McIntosh, Jakovich and Peter Matera shared the field with Cousins, Kerr and Judd. And of course, Troy Wilson was still busting a few skulls. This game was such an enjoyable one as it was away at Manuka Oval and where we needed to win to make finals.
Troy Wilson's hanger in the fourth quarter, and Chris Judd showing off his Neo impressions from the Matrix were both very memorable.
2012 Elimination Final
West Coast 24.18 (162) defeated North Melbourne 9.12 (66)
What a game that was to attend. Absolutely stunning day for a game of footy, it was my sisters' first final, and boy oh boy wowee did we start like a house on fire. In retrospect it was rather reminiscent of the Melbourne 2018 Prelim. 9 goals on the board before North finally kicked their first, the rest of the game was a mere formality. Our good mate Jack Darling kicked 3 in the first quarter, including the exhilarating running goal below. It also paints a good reminder of when Shannon Hurn used to venture forward of the middle a little and how damaging he could be.
2013 Round 8
West Coast 12.18 (90) defeated North Melbourne 13.10 (88)
I don't really think this game requires too much of an introduction. This match gave us arguably some of the best 15 seconds of live TV sports in history:
Thanks Brad!
But of course we cannot forget the coup de gras:
2015 Preliminary Final
West Coast 10.20 (80) defeated North Melbourne 7.13 (55)
Hardly the best game ever, but it was still filled with memorable moments. Honourable mention is definitely JK's first goal after Scott Thompson tried to flatten him. But the first is definitely Matt Priddis' goal early in the 3rd quarter to put us in front for the first time. IT was almost the loudest I'd ever heard Subiaco roar. Side note to that, the commentary from BT saying it needed to bend a little? Bullshit, I was sitting behind the goals and it went straight through the middle.
Then there's Luke Shuey late in the third, with a goal that I felt at the time broke the camels back.
What a stud.
But, that's enough reminiscing. Let's face our present reality.
After the Melbourne game in round 8, I was pretty down about the trajectory we were heading in. That game seemed to be the moment the realisation kicked for me that there were no real excuses for how we were playing and the results we were getting.
However, since that game things have markedly improved. With the new gameplan seemingly clicking more often than not, there's been an uptick in both morale and form amongst the team and supporters leading to some positive performances and a breakthrough win against the Saints. Which brings us to this game against North Melbourne, which I see as a crossroads moment in our season. A victory, and I can see 2-3 more wins post-bye, whilst a loss I think would be quite damaging to whatever momentum we've been building.
Like most of the competition, I haven't really been paying too much attention to North so most observations will be superficial at best.
But recent form suggests they've been playing OK. A strong first half against the Pies and a draw against Brisbane (albeit in Tasmania), to go with a win against Richmond (for whatever that's worth). Whilst we've lost a close away game to Richmond which we arguably should've won, a great win against an admittedly disappointing Saints, a strong half against Adelaide away, and a highly encouraging performance against Geelong at home.
Taking all that into account a 'home' game against North sounds like a perfect opportunity for a win, but the game being in Bunbury lessens the home advantage a little.
The result of this game rests a lot on the shoulders of Matt Flynn (and Bailey Williams assuming he comes in). If they can hold their own against Xerri and keep the ruck contests respectable that will go a long way to a West Coast victory. But if the worst-case scenario occurs where we get monstered by a bigger, better ruckman (Gold Coast anyone?), we may be in for a long day.
As for other potential changes, there was a bit of sentiment around here to drop Maric and/or Hutchinson which I do understand after last week. However, despite some poor decision making and disposal entering 50 maybe the match committee felt that making too many changes may negatively impact the team chemistry we've been building. One of the main issues we were facing only a month ago was not getting anywhere near enough of the ball around the contest, and I'd hate for us to go backwards again in that metric.
Taking that into account, I do see it as a possibility that Hall comes in for Hutchinson but Maric keeps his spot.
I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that Bailey Williams will come back in to help combat Xerri, and combining that with a performance of similar quality to the Geelong game I'm predicting a 3-4 goal win.
Prove me right boys!
1993 Elimination Final
West Coast 17.18 (120) defeated North Melbourne 11.3 (69)
A bit of a sleeper hit that I don't see too many talk about, but I guess 1993 was one of those seasons that leaves a bit of a sour taste. Despite that the win against Geelong in alphabet stadium and the 1993 Elimination final are games I remember fondly. This stunning goal from Peter Matera in the second quarter is one that always stuck with me:
To kick a checkside from that angle, from that far out is just brilliant. But it's almost matched by Chris Waterman's screamer only 10 minutes later:
2002 Round 22
West Coast 22.11 (143) defeated North Melbourne 18.18 (126)
Going through the highlights of this one was certainly a bit of a trip. It happened during a period of transition where McIntosh, Jakovich and Peter Matera shared the field with Cousins, Kerr and Judd. And of course, Troy Wilson was still busting a few skulls. This game was such an enjoyable one as it was away at Manuka Oval and where we needed to win to make finals.
Troy Wilson's hanger in the fourth quarter, and Chris Judd showing off his Neo impressions from the Matrix were both very memorable.
2012 Elimination Final
West Coast 24.18 (162) defeated North Melbourne 9.12 (66)
What a game that was to attend. Absolutely stunning day for a game of footy, it was my sisters' first final, and boy oh boy wowee did we start like a house on fire. In retrospect it was rather reminiscent of the Melbourne 2018 Prelim. 9 goals on the board before North finally kicked their first, the rest of the game was a mere formality. Our good mate Jack Darling kicked 3 in the first quarter, including the exhilarating running goal below. It also paints a good reminder of when Shannon Hurn used to venture forward of the middle a little and how damaging he could be.
2013 Round 8
West Coast 12.18 (90) defeated North Melbourne 13.10 (88)
I don't really think this game requires too much of an introduction. This match gave us arguably some of the best 15 seconds of live TV sports in history:
Thanks Brad!
But of course we cannot forget the coup de gras:
2015 Preliminary Final
West Coast 10.20 (80) defeated North Melbourne 7.13 (55)
Hardly the best game ever, but it was still filled with memorable moments. Honourable mention is definitely JK's first goal after Scott Thompson tried to flatten him. But the first is definitely Matt Priddis' goal early in the 3rd quarter to put us in front for the first time. IT was almost the loudest I'd ever heard Subiaco roar. Side note to that, the commentary from BT saying it needed to bend a little? Bullshit, I was sitting behind the goals and it went straight through the middle.
Then there's Luke Shuey late in the third, with a goal that I felt at the time broke the camels back.
What a stud.
But, that's enough reminiscing. Let's face our present reality.
After the Melbourne game in round 8, I was pretty down about the trajectory we were heading in. That game seemed to be the moment the realisation kicked for me that there were no real excuses for how we were playing and the results we were getting.
However, since that game things have markedly improved. With the new gameplan seemingly clicking more often than not, there's been an uptick in both morale and form amongst the team and supporters leading to some positive performances and a breakthrough win against the Saints. Which brings us to this game against North Melbourne, which I see as a crossroads moment in our season. A victory, and I can see 2-3 more wins post-bye, whilst a loss I think would be quite damaging to whatever momentum we've been building.
Like most of the competition, I haven't really been paying too much attention to North so most observations will be superficial at best.
But recent form suggests they've been playing OK. A strong first half against the Pies and a draw against Brisbane (albeit in Tasmania), to go with a win against Richmond (for whatever that's worth). Whilst we've lost a close away game to Richmond which we arguably should've won, a great win against an admittedly disappointing Saints, a strong half against Adelaide away, and a highly encouraging performance against Geelong at home.
Taking all that into account a 'home' game against North sounds like a perfect opportunity for a win, but the game being in Bunbury lessens the home advantage a little.
The result of this game rests a lot on the shoulders of Matt Flynn (and Bailey Williams assuming he comes in). If they can hold their own against Xerri and keep the ruck contests respectable that will go a long way to a West Coast victory. But if the worst-case scenario occurs where we get monstered by a bigger, better ruckman (Gold Coast anyone?), we may be in for a long day.
As for other potential changes, there was a bit of sentiment around here to drop Maric and/or Hutchinson which I do understand after last week. However, despite some poor decision making and disposal entering 50 maybe the match committee felt that making too many changes may negatively impact the team chemistry we've been building. One of the main issues we were facing only a month ago was not getting anywhere near enough of the ball around the contest, and I'd hate for us to go backwards again in that metric.
Taking that into account, I do see it as a possibility that Hall comes in for Hutchinson but Maric keeps his spot.
I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that Bailey Williams will come back in to help combat Xerri, and combining that with a performance of similar quality to the Geelong game I'm predicting a 3-4 goal win.
Prove me right boys!
