Australia

North scores third win of 2021, handing West Coast third straight ugly loss



North Melbourne has pulled off a stunning win over West Coast to secure just their third win of the season, while the Eagles are left to rue a third straight loss as they teeter on the edge of the AFL finals spots.

The last-placed Kangaroos showed composure and determination to come away with a 10.10 (70) to 8.12 (60) win in a dour affair that came to life in the final quarter at Perth Stadium.

Coming off a humiliating 118-26 loss to the Swans and a comprehensive 98-43 defeat at the hands of the second-placed Western Bulldogs, the Eagles kept their noses in front of the Kangaroos for most of the night, but never got much separation.

And they paid for it when Todd Goldstein and Nick Larkey booted goals to end the third quarter and take an 11-point lead into the last term.

A run of four goals from Josh Kennedy, Oscar Allen, Liam Ryan and Tim Kelly appeared to set the record straight as West Coast established an 11-point lead of their own, only for North’s Cameron Zurhaar and Ben Cunnington to slot majors to take the lead right back.

Zurhaar also set up the next goal with a strong tackle on Josh Rotham that forced the ball loose in the middle of the field and unleashed a Kangaroos counter-attack that ended in the hands of Jaidyn Stephenson, who coolly found six points from 50 metres out.

Ryan pegged one back for West Coast, but a huge mark in the opposite goalsquare by ruckman Goldstein sealed the win for the North Melbourne.

Stephenson (38 disposals, 10 marks and a goal) was the Kangaroos’ best, while captain Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington, Zurhaar and Goldstein all came up with big plays when it mattered.

Larkey topped the goal-kicking for both teams with three majors, while Allen, Ryan and Kennedy kicked two each for the Eagles.

Driving home West Coast’s poor form is the fact they now have a worse record through their past five games (two wins, three losses) than the 18th-placed team that beat them on Monday night (two wins, one draw, two losses).

The Eagles’ last win, a four-point victory over premiers Richmond, came a month ago in round 13.

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