North Melbourne have survived a late Bombers fightback to claim a 12-point win on Saturday night, but that victory has been soured by Tristan Xerri’s “moment of madness”.
Xerri is staring down Match Review scrutiny after appearing to wipe his blood onto the face of rival Andy McGrath in the second term of his side’s 12.9 (81) to 9.15 (69) victory at Marvel Stadium.
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Not since Collingwood’s Nathan Buckley back in 2002 has an AFL player been banned for such an act, but Fox Footy’s Jay Clark believes the Roos big man is in hot water.
“This is a serious misconduct charge under the AFL tribunal guidelines,” he said.
“That means it’ll be directly referred to the AFL Tribunal – we’re looking at multiple weeks’ suspension.”
Tristan Xerri appears to wipe blood onto the face of opponent Andy McGrath.Source: FOX SPORTS
The moment soured what had been a great response from the Roos, who turned for home with a 36-point lead.
Despite going goalless in the last quarter as the Bombers mounted their fightback, the result ensures North Melbourne break their 10-year losing streak to Essendon.
THE 3-2-1… (what we learnt)
3. ROOS SNAP 10-YEAR STREAK TO PILE MORE PAIN ON DONS
It wasn’t the prettiest of wins after a late scare. But North Melbourne has ended its 10-year losing streak against Essendon.
The Kangaroos recorded their first win over the Bombers since 2016 – or 3605 days ago – in a monkey off the bank as Alastair Clarkson’s 2-1 side sets itself for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile Essendon’s run of 308 days without a win continues in a 16-game losing streak dating back to last May – one short of the club record.
The third quarter is the period North can really hang its hat on, banging on five goals in a dominant stretch and opening up a 36-point lead.
And while the final 12-point scoreline over the winless and struggling Bombers doesn’t read that well, sometimes you’ve just got to bank the four points.
Clarko not content despite bounce back | 09:12
“This has been a really difficult period for North Melbourne in the last however many years, wins have been hard to come by. They don’t care, they just want the four points,” Demons great Garry Lyon said on Fox Footy.
“Of course they can do it better and there will be things they will look at over the next coupler of days.
“But they haven’t beaten Essendon since 2016, they wouldn’t care.”
Aside from the result, the wins within the game is what would really please Roos fans.
Finn O’Sullivan starred in a lockdown role on Zach Merrett.
Harry Sheezel, Luke Davies-Uniacke and Colby McKercher combined for nearly 100 disposals through the midfield.
And George Wardlaw returned from ongoing injury setbacks as the Roos finally got to see their collection of young stars together.
Plus Luke Parker continues to wind the clock back in a new role across half back with 33 touches.
2. ‘ABSOLUTELY SENSATIONAL’: YOUNG ROOS STAR CLAIMS BIG SCALP IN EPIC STATEMENT
North Melbourne young gun Finn O’Sullivan continues to raise his reputation, clamping Essendon star Zach Merrett in a decisive part of Saturday night’s game.
O’Sullivan held Merrett to only 10 disposals and the young Roo picked up 24 himself as one of his side’s best.
It marked Merrett’s lowest disposal count since Round 1 of 2018 in a game he got injured in.
Sam Durham looks dejected at the three-quarter time break.Source: Getty Images
“He’s a star player…. got the name called up. Happy to get the job done and the boys are so good in encouraging me in the role,” he told Fox Footy post-match.
“Someone’s got to do it and I’m happy to do it, especially if we’re winning, nothing better. So credit to the boys.
The combination of the 19-year old’s physicality with the ex-Bombers skipper and ability to quell him while staying involved in the game was instrumental in the win.
It’s the sort of performance that commands attention from the footy world
“Finn O’Sullivan is playing a game on Zach Merrett, real physical with him,” Demons great Garry Lyon said on Fox Footy.
“This is the stuff. Body on body, keep your feet, win possession and away you go.
“We’ve seen players do jobs on opposition stars but not win footy on the manner Finn O’Sullivan has.”
Geelong champion Cameron Mooney also heaped praise on O’Sullivan – the No. 2 pick in the 2024 AFL Draft – as one of North’s green shoots really starting to emerge.
“Let’s talk about one of the reasons North Melbourne is playing so well – that’s Finn O’Sullivan and his job on Zach Merrett,” Mooney said.
“Absolutely brilliant, he has been absolutely sensational … absolutely flying.”
Tristan Xerri and Andrew McGrath come together in a scuffle.Source: News Corp Australia
1. BIG ROO SET TO SWEAT ON MATCH REVIEW
North Melbourne ruckman Tristan Xerri will come under scrutiny for appearing to wipe his blood onto the face of rival Andy McGrath during Saturday night’s match.
After giving up the 50m penalty, Xerri was sandwiched between Bombers McGrath and Archie Roberts and immediately dropped to the Marvel Stadium turf.
A shuffle moments later saw Xerri and McGrath come together – and it’s where Xerri appears to wipe blood from his nose and then touch McGrath’s face.
Fox Footy’s Jay Clark described it as “a moment of madness” and said it could cost Xerri “a couple of weeks’ suspension”.
But what is an alleged wipe of blood worth?
McGrath didn’t react to the moment – and didn’t appear to have blood left on his face.
We know Collingwood’s Nathan Buckley copped a one-match ban for using his head to wipe his blood onto the jumper of rival Cameron Ling – but that action was more a ploy to also send Ling to the bench with the blood rule back in 2002.
And then-Demon Jeremy Howe copped a fine for wiping his blood from a grazed knee onto the shorts of Port opponent Tom Jonas back in 2012.
But not since then have we seen such an act on the AFL field.
“I certainly think that needs to go to the tribunal – he needs to cop a sanction,” Leigh Montagna said.
“That’s a horrible look.
“It’s not acceptable and not something we’ve seen for a long time.
“I’m not sure what Tristan Xerri was thinking in that situation – but we can’t have that.
“The AFL have to set an example, and make an example of this that we don’t see anything like it happen again.”
Fox Footy’s Cam Mooney said it was clear Xerri’s “frustration” got the better of him.
“He would be regretting it right now,” he said.
“It’s one of those moments you do and go, ‘what the hell have I just done?’.”
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