It’s been a sluggish to start to the second term. In fact, it’s been goalless, with 11 minutes remaining. Eddie Ford’s miss from about 40m almost directly in front of goal, summing up the situation. Bulldogs 35, Kangaroos 23.
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Key posts
This contest has degenerated
Have Roos dodged a bullet?
Our man Marc McGowan has this to say:
Nick Larkey is back on the ground, so we’ll see how he fares if he has to run fast or soar for a mark. Roos might have dodged a bullet.
Marc McGowan’s quarter-time report
Our expert Marc McGowan has this to report at the first change at Marvel Stadium:
After kicking two of the first three goals, North Melbourne trail the Western Bulldogs by 11 points at quarter-time. The Dogs are dominating the clearances (10-5), which owes mostly to Tom Liberatore and Tim English’s ruck replacement Rory Lobb, who have three apiece. But the Roos’ concerns don’t stop there, with Charlie Comben (concussion) subbed off already after crashing into Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and initially staying on the ground. Spearhead Nick Larkey also hobbled off and did not return before the break.
Happy days: Kangaroos ruckman Tristan Xerri after his goal.Credit: Getty Images
Clarko makes positional move
Kangaroos’ co-captain Luke McDonald has been shifted on to Aaron Naughton, with Charlie Comben gone for the afternoon. Naughton has one goal, but botches what should have been a second, with 13 seconds before the first change. The Bulldogs lead by 11 points.
That’s mine: Zac Fisher attempts to tackle Bulldog Aaron Naughton.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Kangaroos forced into early sub
Marc McGowan reports:
Roos sub out Charlie Comben, bringing Miller Bergman into the match earlier than they would have hoped.
Larkey hobbles from the field
Our man Mark McGowan reports on Nick Larkey:
More concerns for North Melbourne. Nick Larkey hobbling off ground, unable to put any weight on his left foot.
Larkey was hurt after sliding into a marking contest.
Our expert Marc McGowan reports
Our man at Marvel Stadium, Marc McGowan, has this to say:
Charlie Comben in the wars. The big Roo was involved in a heavy collision running back with the flight but stayed on the field, only to hobble off from a separate incident minutes later.
Battle: Adam Treloar and Luke McDonald in action at Marvel Stadium.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Comben in heavy clash
Charlie Comben is crunched by Jamarra Ugle-Hagan in a heavy clash at half-back. Comben is flattened, but is allowed to continue. Kangaroos’ doctors are assessing the footage. But wait … Comben is now helped from the field with an ankle issue. His day looks done.
Bulldogs attacking through corridor
This is very much an end-to-end game, the Bulldogs capitalising on the Kangaroos’ errors, this time at half-back. The Dogs then stream forward in numbers, on this occasion leading to a Latham Vandermeer mark and goal from the edge of the goal square. The Kangaroos are missing Harry Sheezel.
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