Ugly But Gritty: Kangaroos Edge Ahead of Eagles in Bunbury Battle
Well, footy fans, we just witnessed something quite unique in AFL Round 13 — North Melbourne hosted West Coast in a so-called "home" game all the way in Bunbury, WA, and while the setting was fresh, the footy on display… let’s just say it won’t make the highlight reels anytime soon. Still, there’s plenty to unpack.
First off, this wasn’t just any ordinary Sunday fixture. North Melbourne made history by playing for premiership points in Bunbury — the first time the AFL has done that — as part of a lucrative deal expected to earn the Roos over a million dollars per match. Financially smart? Definitely. But did the game match the dollars? Not quite.
From the first bounce, it was clear this clash was more about pressure than polish. North Melbourne jumped out early, putting three goals on the board in the first quarter, while West Coast just couldn’t buy one. The Eagles had a staggering 21-10 inside 50 advantage, yet somehow trailed by 15 points. You could feel the frustration. Archer Reid and Liam Ryan both missed very kickable goals. The Roos, on the other hand, capitalised on their limited chances, thanks in part to free kicks and clean finishing from Paul Curtis and Luke Parker.
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In the second quarter, the tone didn’t change much — just more fumbles, missed targets, and pressure that bordered on chaos. West Coast dominated territory with 39 inside 50s to North’s 17 by halftime. And yet… only one goal on the scoreboard. That’s right, one single goal despite all that forward-half dominance. Finally, Oscar Allen and Jack Williams broke the drought with a well-earned major, but it came after 34 entries into the attacking arc. It’s mind-boggling stuff.
Tristan Xerri was massive in the ruck for the Roos, winning clearances and putting his mark all over the contest. Caleb Daniel was a standout with 18 disposals, while Sheezel — normally a ball magnet — struggled with just four touches halfway through. On the Eagles' side, the pressure was elite (they racked up 54 tackles by halftime), but their execution going forward was nothing short of woeful.
By halftime, North Melbourne led 3.3 (21) to West Coast’s 1.8 (14), and that really told the story — ugly footy, but enough from the Roos to be in front. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t clean, but for a club that’s struggled, any lead is gold.
Look, sometimes footy is about moments, not masterpieces. And today in Bunbury, we didn’t get a classic, but we got effort, grit, and a whole lot of missed opportunities. As both teams head into the second half of the season with only a handful of wins between them, they’ll take what they can get.
Let’s see if the Roos can hold firm or if the Eagles can finally turn pressure into points. Either way, Bunbury will remember this one — not for the spectacle, but for making AFL history.
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