NORTH Melbourne has consolidated its spot in the eight with a six-point win over West Coast, but the Eagles proved they will be no easybeats in 2008 by scrapping to the death.

Scores were level midway through the final quarter before small forward Matt Campbell’s goal opened up a seven-point lead that proved a bridge too far for the visitors. Andrew Embley’s kick was touched on the line inside the final minute, and the siren sounded with the ball on West Coast’s half-forward line.

The 13.11 (89) to 12.11 (83) result consigns West Coast to seven straight losses; one short of the club’s record.

Just 6354 fans braved a stormy evening on the Gold Coast, but they were rewarded with a tight contest that featured bursts of high-quality football.

The Eagles led by 21 points early in the third quarter, before four unanswered goals bought North a narrow lead at the last change.

Both sides blew good chances in a last quarter played in murky conditions, after one of the ground’s light towers failed. David Wirrpanda slewed a 35m shot that would have tied the scores, and young Roo Lindsay Thomas pushed his kick from 45m after bringing down a twisting screamer.

Promising Eagles forward Ben McKinley tied the scores with 10 minutes played after Drew Petrie gave away a 50m penalty for a late challenge, but Campbell’s running goal put North back in front.

North Melbourne had looked in a precarious position in the moments after half time, when West Coast’s Brent Staker provided an impromptu FA Cup final preview with a seemingly accidental soccer goal that stretched the Eagles’ lead to 21 points.

But the Kangaroos dug deep, wrestled back the momentum and, although slightly troubled by inaccuracy, battled their way to a characteristically workmanlike victory.

Corey Jones snapped a brilliant opportunist goal, Nathan Thompson kicked truly, Gold Coast product David Hale booted a third for the evening and, after skipper Adam Simpson converted from directly in front following a free kick, the Roos were seven points up turning for home.

There were a few nervous moments for North Melbourne fans in the final term – most notably when McKinley took advantage of Petrie's indiscretion to tie the scores.

However the Roos maintained their composure and Campbell ensured the four points were Melbourne-bound.

Skipper Simpson led from the front with 26 possessions, after starting on the bench, while Hale had perhaps his best game of the season with 16 possessions and 10 marks in addition to three goals.

Daniel Harris and Brent Harvey were customarily solid, Grant proved a constant threat around the ground, Michael Firrito provided plenty of run from defence and Sam Power did some useful things.

For West Coast, Dean Cox worked tirelessly in the ruck, Andrew Embley was creative in defence, Chris Masten showed his potential, Chad Fletcher bounced back to form and Brent Staker was especially prominent in the first half.

Earlier, the Kangaroos had briefly looked like they would run away to an easy victory, when they countered Staker’s game-opening goal for the Eagles with four of their own.

After a slow first eight minutes, Harris, Thompson, Hale and Grant goaled in succession to give North Melbourne a handy break.

But West Coast steadied through Quinten Lynch, McKinley and first-gamer Ryan Davis (with his first kick) and it required another goal from Gold Coast product Hale to give Dean Laidley’s side a five-point quarter-time lead.

The Eagles gave even more cheek in the second term, with young key forward Josh Kennedy particularly influential.

Kennedy snapped a left-foot goal of his own and played a hand in several others, as West Coast worked its way to a 15-point advantage at the long break; North Melbourne’s only two goals of quarter both coming from Grant.

The Roos received an early scare when Daniel Wells limped off in the first term with a knee injury but the talented midfielder returned to be a handy contributor and kicked an important last quarter goal.

Coach Dean Laidley confirmed after the match that youngster Alan Obst had punctured a lung early in the game.

GOALS
North Melbourne: Hale 3, Thompson 2, Grant 2, Campbell, Harvey, Harris, Jones, Simpson, Wells
West Coast: Staker 3, Kennedy 2, McKinley 2, Lynch 2, Davis, Stenglein, Wirrpanda

BEST
North Melbourne: Simpson, Hale, Harvey, Harris, Grant, Firrito
West Coast: Cox, Embley, Masten, Priddis, Fletcher, Staker

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Obst (punctured lung)
West Coast: -

Reports: North Melbourne's Brent Harvey for tripping Matthew Priddis in the third quarter

Umpires: Donlon, Vozzo, Kamolins

Official crowd: 6,354 at Gold Coast Stadium