I got to the ground at half-time in the Australia v Wales schoolboys match and the score was Wales 2-0. In the 2nd half both sides played some nice footy, but Wales was clearly a better side. They had the better chances, and the Aussie keeper made some nice saves. The striker for Wales looks to have promise, big and strong, and good touch in his feet. Final score was Wales 2-0.
For the main game the first 30 mins were reasonably even, with Spirit perhaps a shade ahead. Then, finally, the moment all us Spirit fans had been waiting for - the first home goal. Marusic scored after some good build up work. After that it was pretty much one-way traffic. The Knights weren't in the game much, and Spirit had 2 more goals disallowed before half-time, one for a foul on the keeper, the other for offside. Half-time and Spirit are deserved leaders 1-0.
2nd half was much like the end of the first. Spirit constantly pressing forward, Melbourne scrambling in defence. Spirit should have had another 2 or 3 in the first 30 mins of the 2nd half, but some good keeping, and some poor finishing kept the score at 1-0. The Knights hadn't even looked like scoring, and Hendo had hardly touched the ball in the 2nd half, until a break by Melbourne totally against the run of play gave them an equaliser.
Spirit were not to be denied though, and quickly pressed into the attack again. More desperate defending by Melbourne, and another couple of near misses before Watkins got the ball just outside the are, beat a couple and scored the winner.
For Northern Spirit Marusic had an excellent game, Slater was always looking for work, and was dangerous down the right flank and Casserly and Bosnar played well. Arnold and Zane got themselves into good positions, but couldn't finish, although Arnie hit the crossbar once.
A good showing by the Spirit, and a thoroughly deserved 2-1 victory, although they will need to take their chances more frequently, they should have won 5-1. For Melbourne it looks like being a long, hard season.