This article was originally published in December 2013

In a rare find, NMFC.com.au is able to present footage of the club’s first ever VFL/AFL Grand Final appearance.

A Waterford Production, the colour broadcast features some of the first North Melbourne players to truly make a name for themselves.

PRESS PLAY above to watch the documentary | YouTube

Jock Spencer was one of the best full-forwards of the generation and with John Coleman at the other end for Essendon it was a great duel at the home of football on September 23, 1950.

North had reached its first ever finals series the previous year and was knocked out by Essendon in the preliminary final. Considering the Bombers were also victorious in the 1950 semi-final, calling them North’s nemesis at the time would be a fair label.

The crowd of over 87,000 was so large people were forced to sit between the fence and the boundary line, making for unique scenes never to be repeated in the modern age.

Essendon 7.3.45, 7.6.48, 10.11.71, 13.14.92
North Melbourne 4.0.24, 5.5.35, 7.9.51, 7.12.54

Goals
Essendon: Coleman 4, Reynolds 2, Syme 2, Dale 1, Harper 1, Hutchison 1, McEwin 1, Snell 1
North Melbourne: Spencer 3, Robb 2, Brooker 1, Dynon 1