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yesterday 10.25pm
Time runs out for North as Bombers hold on despite injuries By Michael Gleeson In his first game, Finnbar Maley had the chance to win the game.
It was theatrical but also almost unfair that it should fall to North Melbourne’s first-game player, to have the game ride on his boot.
Finnbar Maley had the chance to kick what could have been the winning goal for the Roos. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
North were coming off a five-day break but Essendon effectively had three players out of the game – Jordan Ridley with his hamstring, Harrison Jones with his awful-looking lower leg injury and Ben Hobbs limping about with a cork.
After Essendon kicked out to a healthy lead by quarter time, the game should never have ended up being this close. But the Kangaroos outplayed the Bombers in the second half to get them to this point – a tick over a minute and a half on the clock and within a goal.
It was then that Maley landed on a pack and juggled a mark. The Bombers were four points ahead and Maley had the shot from 50m out.
He took his time. He then took more time. Plainly unaware of the very idea of a shot clock, let alone where it might be, he then ran out of time and was called to play on. He had to hurry his kick, which was eventually rushed.
It was a dramatic end to a game that looked unlikely to be close after quarter time when the Bombers booted six goals to two. But after half-time, North were the better of the sides, particularly in clearances and around the ball.
Tristan Xerri and Luke Davies-Uniacke were tremendous in that second half for North, but the Bombers had Zach Merrett. Essendon forward Peter Wright was a presence in that last quarter when both
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