Last week: A thrilling Friday night encounter ended in a narrow North Melbourne win, but there would be fallout

At 5-1 and second place on the ladder, North’s start to 1996 had been relatively smooth with the exception of the injury list.

However, the Roos were about to lose a star player in what would turn out to be controversial circumstances.

Corey McKernan had been reported during the Round 6 victory for kneeing John Barnes, and was summoned before the AFL Tribunal.

The ruckman had prior history at the Tribunal, a tripping charge in 1994 eventually costing him the Rising Star award. Now in 1996, he was the early Brownlow Medal favourite, and could lose his eligibility with a suspension. McKernan pleaded not guilty to his charge.

Umpire Peter Carey, who laid the report on game day, used three key phrases to describe McKernan’s actions – “unnecessary”, “certainly dangerous” and “careless”.

McKernan defended himself by pointing out he was attempting to take evasive action.

“I was going flat out behind John (Barnes), landed and got up straight away. I had my eyes for the ball and then was looking to the front, trying to find a place to land.”

McKernan also pointed out the potential of the action causing serious injury if done deliberately, and adamantly denied he had done so.

From a Geelong perspective, Barnes did all he could to downplay the contact.

The Cat stated he felt “a slight brush around my neck and to the back of my head”, while also saying the contact was at the same time of his mark as he went to the ground.

However, the efforts of both players ended up counting for naught as the Tribunal decided to suspend McKernan for one match, ruling him ineligible for the Brownlow.

Click to enlarge and see the full coverage of the night at the Tribunal

Kangaroos' chief executive Greg Miller acted as McKernan’s advocate, in the days before QC’s and lawyers. Following the decision he expressed his disappointment at the decision.

“It’s a shame for Corey and a shame for the team. But let me say that Corey is a man of honour, and we believe in his word.”

So it was up to North to travel to Perth and face an Eagles side without McKernan. The enormity of the task was recognised by the media.

“The suspension of North ruck-forward Corey McKernan will have a dramatic effect on the Roos’ fortunes.

“They would have been favoured before the setback but now will find themselves fully stretched, particularly if the weather is fine and the surface fast.” – Geoff Poulter, Herald Sun

Fine weather and a fast surface was exactly what greeted the Kangaroos, facing a rampant Eagles side who had just dismissed Melbourne by 106 points the week prior.

At Subiaco Oval, the home side started fast and never let up. Showcasing glimpses of the form which had won them premierships in 1992 and 1994, they kept North goalless in the first quarter, led by 43 points at half-time and eventually cruised to a 67-point victory.

For the Roos, while their loss was a disappointing end to the week, there was much bigger news breaking back home in Melbourne.

How news of the merger broke in The Age - click on each image to enlarge

Next week: News of a merger continues to gather momentum as North’s playing list attempts to keep focused on returning to the winners list

North Melbourne: 0.6.6, 2.7.19, 5.12.42, 7.16.58
West Coast: 4.1.25, 9.8.62, 15.10.100, 19.11.125

NMFC changes

In: Robert Scott, John Blakey
Out: Ross Smith, Corey McKernan

Goals

North Melbourne: Carey 3, Archer 1, Blakey 1, Capuano 1, Freeborn 1
West Coast: Ball 6, Cousins 2, Pe Matera 2, Wirrpanda 2, Donnelly 1, Evans 1, Gehrig 1, Kemp 1, Ph Matera 1, McKenna 1, White 1

Brownlow Medal

3 – Chris Mainwaring (West Coast), 2 – Jason Ball (West Coast), 1 – Brayden Lyle (West Coast)