Latest news with #CameronZurhaar
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11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Zurhaar the late hero as Kangaroos escape major scare
West Coast appear destined to collect this year's AFL wooden spoon after North Melbourne produced a late four-goal burst to snatch a thrilling 10-point victory in Bunbury. The wayward Eagles kicked 1.13 across the first two and a half quarters of Sunday's match before finally hitting their groove to surge to an 18-point lead early in the final term. North Melbourne had been error-riddled and looked one-dimensional until that point, but exploded with the final four goals of the match - including two to Cameron Zurhaar - to secure the 9.8 (62) to 6.16 (52) win. Cam IN FRONT!#AFLNorthEagles — AFL (@AFL) June 8, 2025 Finn O'Sullivan started the four-goal run when he made the most of a 50m penalty to kick truly, before Zurhaar kicked his first of the match to make it a six-point game with nine minutes remaining. West Coast clung on dearly for the next seven minutes until Zurhaar took a brave pack mark to give North the lead. Captain Jy Simpkin iced the win with a running snap in the final 45 seconds. The result means North Melbourne (3-8-1) are now two and a half wins ahead of last-placed West Coast (1-12). Richmond (3-10) are two wins clear of the Eagles. Not only did North Melbourne snare the win, but they will also collect a cool $1 million for "hosting'' the match in Bunbury, a coastal town two hours drive south of Perth. It's part of a three-year deal in which North Melbourne will play two home games a season in WA, including next week's clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium. The only downer for North Melbourne out of Sunday's match was a game-ending injury to defender Charlie Comben, who was subbed out in the third quarter after copping a painful knee to the shoulder in a marking contest. Paul Curtis kicked three goals for North Melbourne, while Tristan Xerri was huge in the ruck with 37 hitouts, 10 clearances and 22 disposals. Former Eagle Jack Darling was held scoreless from 10 disposals. Eagles co-captain Liam Duggan tallied a team-high 23 disposals, Elijah Hewett racked up 22 disposals and six clearances, while forward Jack Williams kicked two goals. North Melbourne kicked the only three goals of the opening quarter - including two to Curtis - despite losing the inside-50 count 21-10. West Coast's 0.5 was a poor return for a quarter they dominated, with Archer Reid's close-range shocker summing up their ineptitude in front of goal. The Eagles had 0.8 to their name and had just entered their forward-50 arc for a staggering 34th time when Williams finally broke the goal drought with a close-range set shot late in the second quarter. The goal reduced the margin to seven points at halftime, with North holding the lead despite being pummelled 39-17 in the inside-50 count. West Coast had a woeful 1.13 to their name before producing a 4.1 spurt to finish the third quarter. But just as the game looked won for the Eagles, North hit back hard in a thrilling finish.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roos defy ladder position to force a draw with Brisbane
Cellar dwellers North Melbourne have given AFL premiers Brisbane an almighty run, the sides playing out a thrilling draw. Despite being at opposite ends of the table, the clubs couldn't be split in the 10.11 (71) to 10.11 (71) result in Hobart on Sunday night. The lead changed hands multiple times in the final 10 minutes. The Kangaroos had the better of the opportunities to steal the win at the death, but couldn't land the killer blow. 17th v 1st turned out to be an absolute thriller!Enjoy the last two minutes of #AFLNorthLions, thanks to OMO Australia. — AFL (@AFL) May 11, 2025 Kangaroos forward Cameron Zurhaar had a tough shot from the boundary with his side down by one point with about 80 seconds left, but he managed just a behind. The Kangaroos then had a run inside 50 in the final minute, before Lions defender Jack Payne spoiled a potential mark. North, who hadn't beaten Brisbane in their previous seven clashes, hit the lead with 10 minutes to play when Jacob Konstanty slotted a goal off a free kick. Brisbane got themselves back in front though Zac Bailey after North were pinged for kicking in danger. The scores were then levelled at 70-70 when Cameron Raynor slotted a set shot with about five minutes on the clock. The visitors had their noses ahead when Eric Hipwood hit a behind with three minutes left, before Zurhaar returned the favour at the other end. The Kangaroos were down 20-40 at halftime and it appeared Brisbane would pull away. But North fought back to reduce the deficit to 51-42 at the start of the final quarter. Both sides left points out on the park, missing gettable shots throughout the contest. Raynor and Hipwood both kicked three goals for Brisbane for the game, while Zurhaar and Jack Darling both bagged two for the Kangaroos. Brisbane's Jarrod Berry was subbed out in the first quarter with concussion after a heavy collision with North Melbourne's Luke McDonald off the ball. In what appeared an ominous sign, the Lions booted the first goal of the match after just 25 seconds through Levi Ashcroft. But North Melbourne held their own and could have potentially taken the lead into the first break if not for some loose shots in front of goal.
