Josh Gibson of North Melbourne and Jack Riewoldt of Richmond(L) react after a draw in the AFL Round 16 match between the Richmond Tigers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at the MCG. Slattery Images
As a North Melbourne supporter, we’ve seen the best of times, we’ve seen the worst of times. Just ten years ago, we won our fourth premiership, the second in four seasons. Alas, not as North Melbourne, but as the ‘Kangaroos’.
Yes, back in 1999, we had everything before us, and we had nothing before us.
In 1998, we started a daliance with Canberra, playing a ‘home’ game at Manuka Oval.
In 1999, we became the ‘Kangaroos’ and played a number of home games at the SCG. A poor experiment. By 2001, we were back to Canberra and Manuka Oval.
For a little while, North-Kangaroos might have built something.
The VFL side was the Murray Kangaroos, and there could have been a nice Albury/Wagga/Canberra ‘triangle’ established with the ‘Roos as the ‘sponsor’.
In the end, Canberra fell away, the ‘Ressies’ alinged with Port Melbourne, and the ‘Roos volunteered to take games to the Gold Coast.
A lot of dipping the toe in but a lack of willingness to jump in bodily. So the once was proud North Melbourne was relegated to a travelling side show act.
When, towards the end of 2007, the Roos were finally given an ultimatum to pack up and head North, the club finally found some courage. And so North Melbourne was rediscovered.
Now, two years on, we’ve seen new community focused facilities opened, with a strong multi-cultural focus on the local community. And North Melbourne have rookie listed Sudanese refugee, Majak Daw.
Suddenly, my club, North Melbourne, is standing for something again.
The pride in the club and jumper returns as pictures of Majak Daw find their way to the BBC website and to news sites in the US.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
Tristan Xerri ran to the opposite wing mid-play during North Melbourne's loss to Adelaide, and Kane Cornes was at a loss as to why..
The umpires played on when it was "clearly a point" as Mitchell Hinge was rammed into the post with the ball. Ultimately, North ended…
Mark Keane got the shock of his life after this rushed behind. It made little difference to the score as Adelaide won by 57…
Fox Footy's Brad Johnson questioned whether Bigoa Nyuon could've got a touch to this Izak Rankine goal if he didn't pull up so early.
Taylor Walker was busy setting up goals for his teammates against North Melbourne. But he didn't need them for this brilliant solo effort.
Luke Davies-Uniacke claimed he got a fist to this one, replays showed something entirely different, leaving the Fox Footy crew chuckling.
