NORTH	3-4	7-7	11-9	14-11	95
PORT	3-3	7-8	11-11	13-15	93

 

Best Players: Allan, Ladhams, Alleway, McIntyre, Archard, Younie, Sporn.

Goals: Alleway 3.1, Stewart, Motlop, O'Brien 2.1, Younie 1.2, Wintle, Allan, Ladhams 1.1, Archard 1.0, Ryswyk 0.1, rushed 0.1

Injuries: Ward, D.White , S.Motlop (all hamstrings) .

Crowd: 4118 @ Alberton Oval

The hoodoo over Port at Alberton continues!! That's 5 in a row at the ground many other clubs have been intimidated by over the years. And 5 great wins they've all been with North supporters painting the outer of Alberton Oval a sea of red and white.

Despite being outplayed for most of the day this was a truly sweet win in that the boys dug deep and played on heart alone in the last quarter. For the 2nd time this year North were reduced to no interchange bench with early hamstring injuries to Ward, Motlop and Damon White. Other players copped knocks but had to remain on the ground and it will be a battered and bruised North Adelaide that rocks up to the Grand Final re-match this Friday on Anzac Day.

Hopefully the SANFL heeds calls to bring the SANFL in line with every other major competition in the nation and have 4 on the interchange bench. I wouldn't hold my breath though.

Scores were tight all day with Port having the lead for the majority of the game.
Port killed North at the stoppages and delivered the ball better to their forward but their inaccuracy especially by ex North champion Daniel Hargraves who kicked 5 goals 7 including a set shot 35 metres out deep into time on that would have given Port the victory.

North were behind for most of the last quarter too, only hitting the front when Daniel Stewart grabbed a speccie on the goal long and converted truly, it was reminiscent of Jason Roe's effort 3 or 4 years ago in the same spot on the ground.
Whilst Jars and the fans will be pleased with the guts and determination showed by the players, the win shouldn't take the club's attention away from the fact we were outplayed and several deficiencies need to be addressed especially at the stoppages.

Despite having many onballers North are really starting to notice how much Dean Howard meant to the club and other players will need to step up to at least partially fill the void if we're to be any chance of going deep into the finals.

Best North players for the day included Jimmy Allan who made a huge difference coming back from injury racking up 35 quality disposals, Chris Ladhams continued his fantastic start to the season with another polished performance (34 touches) as well as Alleway's great effort up forward (8 strong marks and 3 goals) and McIntyre for his grand job of standing danger player Corey Ahchee.

Thanks to the rocket scientists down at SANFL headquarters North now have 4 days rest until they come up against the reigning premier who conveniently were given 12 days rest coming into this game.
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Pics of Rd 4 v Port 2008

Gameday discussion on Forum for Rd 4 v Port 2008

Roost Player of the Year Votes for Rd 4 v Port 2008