By Chris W.B

Reigning Premier vs. Minor Premier. Would this match see the master down the apprentice? Or would the Phoenix win and signal a passing of the torch between last year's greatest team and this year's? The Phoenix were without star fullback Clinton Schifcofske in last week's narrow loss, whilst North Melbourne outlasted the Cougars. It was bound to be a thriller, and it delivered.

The sell-out crowd roared as one as two out of town sides did battle. It didn't seem to bother the fans that it was NT's finest vs. Victoria's finest, only that they were two of the greatest teams in ASRL's history.

Central looked to have made the ideal start when Tony Puletua crashed over after less than two minutes, but the try was called back for a dubious double movement call- much to the relief of North Melbourne- who had been bamboozled by quick play the balls and smart passing in the leadup.

Andrew Walker revisted his Grand Final appearance, hitting back immediately with some dazzling footwork, followed by a penalty goal to set his side up at 2-0.

In the 11th it was North Melbourne's turn to rely on the video referee. A brilliant Anthony Mundine pass had put Andrew Walker into space, but the grounding of the ball was unclear, as Scott Donald raced across to make the tackle. The video ref found a knock-on, and it was Central's turn to feel relieved.

The game contiued to ebb and flow, both sides sharing possession almost straight down the middle. There was no questioning Andrew Walker in the 19th though, capitalising on some unusually slow marker defence to create a 3 on 1 overlap out wide. From there it was the Walker show, as he dummied and dazed the defence right up until he scored. He converted his own try, and it was 8-0.

The game hung in the balance for its remainder, with Central continually being held out by North Melbourne's defence. The Maulers drew on everything they'd learnt in last year's Grand Final, able to defend their line with desperation befitting the ocassion.

It took only one lapse of concentration to late Central back into the game. The halftime siren had sounded, and Central had one last throw of the dice. Running it on the last, Gorden Tallis fended off Andrew Walker and Luke Phillips, tossing a speculator out wide. Lesley Vainakolo got it on the second bounce, stepped inside a rushing Anthony Mundine, and crashed over to score a magnificent try! Shayne nailed the difficult conversion, and it was 8-6 at halftime.

HALFTIME: Central 6 trail North Melbourne 8

Whatever was said at halftime, it worked on both sides. It didn't seem possible, but both sides came out more desperate and more fired up. The opening exchanges were brutal, and it took a particularly brutal Robbie Kearns high tackle to get Central on the board through Shayne's boot. Eight all in the 51st.

Andrew Walker again put his side ahead in the 57th- a sloppy play the ball from North Melbourne rewarded by poor refereeing which saw Walker slot the goal over. 10-8 with just over twenty to go.

Central looked certainties to score in the 61st when Craig Wing burst through Scott Hill's attempted tackle and found Scott Donald trailing outside. He may be fast, but Donald could do little as Luke Phillips hit him hard and bundled him into touch.

The game's intensity began to bubble over, with niggling in the tackles eventually leading to a mini-brawl. Donald had just made an eighty metre run which was ended by Walker, who did a little extra work in the tackle. This prompted Tallis to swing at the winger, and it devolved from there. Despite Tallis being the instigator, Central got the penalty which put them only five out. It didn't take a set, Justin Murphy receiving the ball out wide and standing up Desi Kadima to score untouched. Shayne landed it, and it was 14-10.

The Phoenix, leading for the first time, played it safe and put attack aside as they focussed everything on defence. Jarring hits and in your face markers caused North Melbourne to lose their cool as they found themselves shut out of the game they'd been leading. This frustration lead to two late David Shayne penalties to have it at 18-10 and out've North Melbourne's reach. The reigning premiers run had ended, whilst Central advanced to face Gold Coast.

FULLTIME
Central 18
Lesley Vainakolo
Justin Murphy
Shayne 5/5
def.
North Melbourne 10
Andrew Walker
Walker 3/3

PoM Points
Craig Wing.............3
Paul Stringer..........2
Lesley Vainakolo......1