1949 (CONT...)
ROUND 16 MELBOURNE
North had another narrow escape at Arden Street when they came from behind to win by one straight kick. It was 3rd v 4th with a win vital for both sides. North regained Radloff, Dynon and McKenzie with L. Reeves coming back from suspension. Crawford also came into the team for only his second game of the season. He came on at halftime replacing Jarrard, giving North a bit more weight and opposition to the Melbourne rucks. This proved the turning point. After trailing all day, North came home strongly and took the lead in the last quarter. Then, with the scores level, Foote scored a goal just before the bell. Radloff was again vital in the centre as was Robb and Marchesi. Foote, as usual was everywhere. The Argus reported that it was North’s best and most deserving win so far. The downside was that Melbourne’s defeat saw them drop out of the four and allowed Essendon in.
North Melbourne 9.10-64 d Melbourne 8.10-58
ROUND 17 HAWTHORN
North suffered a shock 18 point loss to bottom team Hawthorn at Glenferrie. It was Only Hawthorn’s third win for the year. North had thwarted them in their 1943 attempt to make the four for the first time by beating them in the last round that year. This was Hawthorn’s revenge. Fortunately North dropped only one spot to third, Collingwood also losing. North were beaten for pace, in the air and Foote and Spencer were closely shadowed.
Hawthorn 13.10-88 d North Melbourne 9.16-70
ROUND 18 GEELONG
Larsen and Parkes were added to North’s injury list. They were finished for the season. But Kelly and Dynon returned. North’s new signing, Bob Brooker, was brought in for his first game to strengthen the ruck. Spencer was a late withdrawal from the side. Emergency Kokkin came in and the team positions had to be shuffled with Condon playing full forward.
A strong cross wind at the Geelong ground and a greasy ball made scoring difficult with many easy shots missed. North took time to settle and trailed by 18 points at halftime. A vital move in putting McKenzie in the centre and Radloff on the wing changed the whole complexion of the game. North slammed on eight goals in the third quarter (out of a total of eleven) to take control, going on to win by 26 points. New player Brooker was best on the ground. Collingwood, Carlton and North were locked together on 52 points at the top of the ladder. The last round would decide who would get the double chance.
North Melbourne 11.16-82 d Geelong 7.14-56
ROUND 19 CARLTON
Spencer was back in the side for North. Hedley and Crawford were omitted and Baglin joined Kokkin on the bench. A record crowd of 35,000 squeezed into Arden Street. The previous record was 33,000 in 1911 when Essendon A played Brunswick in the VFA Grand Final. North routed Carlton in fine style with a withering burst in the third quarter when they scored 6.2 to 0.3, Carlton managing only two goals in the second half to North’s ten. North won in most positions including the ruck, and the half forward line of Dynon, Foote and Marchesi was destructive. Spencer was far too good for Carlton full-back Grieve and kicked eight goals, missing several easy shots. It was a day to savour for North supporters and inspired confidence in their winning their first premiership. They would meet Carlton again in the second semi-final in two weeks as the win propelled them to outright first. Collingwood, finishing the season badly, lost to lowly StKilda and would meet Essendon in the first semi-final. Had Carlton not scored two late goals they would have dropped to third, and North would have faced off to Collingwood in the second semi—and probably won.
North Melbourne 15.18-108 d Carlton 7.10-52
NEXT---THE HEARTBREAK
ROUND 16 MELBOURNE
North had another narrow escape at Arden Street when they came from behind to win by one straight kick. It was 3rd v 4th with a win vital for both sides. North regained Radloff, Dynon and McKenzie with L. Reeves coming back from suspension. Crawford also came into the team for only his second game of the season. He came on at halftime replacing Jarrard, giving North a bit more weight and opposition to the Melbourne rucks. This proved the turning point. After trailing all day, North came home strongly and took the lead in the last quarter. Then, with the scores level, Foote scored a goal just before the bell. Radloff was again vital in the centre as was Robb and Marchesi. Foote, as usual was everywhere. The Argus reported that it was North’s best and most deserving win so far. The downside was that Melbourne’s defeat saw them drop out of the four and allowed Essendon in.
North Melbourne 9.10-64 d Melbourne 8.10-58
ROUND 17 HAWTHORN
North suffered a shock 18 point loss to bottom team Hawthorn at Glenferrie. It was Only Hawthorn’s third win for the year. North had thwarted them in their 1943 attempt to make the four for the first time by beating them in the last round that year. This was Hawthorn’s revenge. Fortunately North dropped only one spot to third, Collingwood also losing. North were beaten for pace, in the air and Foote and Spencer were closely shadowed.
Hawthorn 13.10-88 d North Melbourne 9.16-70
ROUND 18 GEELONG
Larsen and Parkes were added to North’s injury list. They were finished for the season. But Kelly and Dynon returned. North’s new signing, Bob Brooker, was brought in for his first game to strengthen the ruck. Spencer was a late withdrawal from the side. Emergency Kokkin came in and the team positions had to be shuffled with Condon playing full forward.
A strong cross wind at the Geelong ground and a greasy ball made scoring difficult with many easy shots missed. North took time to settle and trailed by 18 points at halftime. A vital move in putting McKenzie in the centre and Radloff on the wing changed the whole complexion of the game. North slammed on eight goals in the third quarter (out of a total of eleven) to take control, going on to win by 26 points. New player Brooker was best on the ground. Collingwood, Carlton and North were locked together on 52 points at the top of the ladder. The last round would decide who would get the double chance.
North Melbourne 11.16-82 d Geelong 7.14-56
ROUND 19 CARLTON
Spencer was back in the side for North. Hedley and Crawford were omitted and Baglin joined Kokkin on the bench. A record crowd of 35,000 squeezed into Arden Street. The previous record was 33,000 in 1911 when Essendon A played Brunswick in the VFA Grand Final. North routed Carlton in fine style with a withering burst in the third quarter when they scored 6.2 to 0.3, Carlton managing only two goals in the second half to North’s ten. North won in most positions including the ruck, and the half forward line of Dynon, Foote and Marchesi was destructive. Spencer was far too good for Carlton full-back Grieve and kicked eight goals, missing several easy shots. It was a day to savour for North supporters and inspired confidence in their winning their first premiership. They would meet Carlton again in the second semi-final in two weeks as the win propelled them to outright first. Collingwood, finishing the season badly, lost to lowly StKilda and would meet Essendon in the first semi-final. Had Carlton not scored two late goals they would have dropped to third, and North would have faced off to Collingwood in the second semi—and probably won.
North Melbourne 15.18-108 d Carlton 7.10-52
NEXT---THE HEARTBREAK
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