The Shinboners of the Century, the battlers in Aussie Rules Football, the club that was threatened with getting the axe or moving to the Gold Coast.
Much on-field and off-field turmoil has happened to the North Melbourne Football club in the last twelve months.
Late last year the club was faced with the biggest challenge it has had in many years: either get the chop in Melbourne, or move to the Gold Coast.
But with the Gold Coast deal showing many holes, and the rallying of fans for the club to stay in Melbourne, the savior, James Brayshaw stepped up to take the reigns.
Months down the track, despite missing both their leading goal kickers in Nathan Thompson and Corey Jones, they did what no others but their faithful fans thought they could and made it to the 2007 Semi Finals.
The Roos now sit 8th on the ladder with nine games remaining in the season. Two weeks ago they lost to Fremantle by 53 points, then on the weekend they beat the Hawks, the team that was to challenge Geelong for the flag. Silencing their critics once again.
One thing is for certain about the North Melbourne Football Club: they will continue to be doubted and continue to be ridiculed and downgraded, but it seems that the more negativity flying around them, the more spirited they become.
All of which proves that the Shinboner spirit is alive and well down at Arden street.
Now, with a solid performance against the second place Hawks on the weekend, North will seriously challenge the top eight.
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