North Melbourne kicked seven goals to overturn a 22-point three-quarter time deficit to defeat Carlton on Good Friday in an absolute thriller at Docklands Stadium.
Carlton coach Michael Voss shared his thoughts after the Blues loss. “If anything, some moments of composure would’ve helped us,” Voss said. “We walk away extremely disappointed. We’re all hurting because when you put your body on the line and you’re invested in something coming off the short break, we understood the significance of the game and I thought our players really embraced that moment.”
“Took ownership completely off the previous week’s game. No one shirked a conversation, [there were] some pretty tough ones had, looked in the eye and went for it, but it’s not enough,” Voss added. Voss also began his press conference with a lovely message about the significance of the Good Friday match and the lead-up.
Clarkson’s Touchline Exchange
There was interesting vision at three-quarter time as Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson appeared to punch Colby McKercher in the chest.
McKercher says a lot shouldn’t be made of the exchange. “I was disappointed I was letting the team down,” he tells Fox Footy. “It was a forward 50 stoppage and I switched off mentally for a bit, and I think Jagga Smith kicked a goal.”
“I saw him beeline straight for me at three-quarter time (and) I was like, ‘Ah, here we go’. Clarko and I have such a good relationship so we hugged it out after a game,” McKercher said.
“I think it’s just his way of showing care. He’s so hard on me because he cares so much. He’s trying to get a response out of me to improve in that area and make better efforts in the fourth quarter. Like I said before, we’ve got such a good relationship, so I trust his judgement. Obviously he was pretty fired up there, but it’s in the heat of battle and things like that happen. I don’t think it should be made a big deal out of.”
Adelaide’s Team Changes
Adelaide has been forced into late changes ahead of tonight’s clash against Fremantle.
Darcy Fogarty and Isaac Cumming are both out and have been replaced by Finnbar Maley and Chayce Jones. Here’s a look at the two team line-ups.
Wardlaw’s Heroics
George Wardlaw was heroic in the final quarter, especially on that late tackle on Patrick Cripps.
“It was tooth and nail, we knew it would be,” he tells Fox Footy. “I wasn’t playing on him [Cripps], but I was quite terrified, he’s a big man. Just glad to get that win. I don’t think I’ve heard Marvel like that since I’ve been at the club, especially after the Sheezel goal.”
Later on Good Friday, Adelaide hosts Fremantle at the Adelaide Oval in a blockbuster clash from 7:15pm AEDT.