Some of North's most famous premiership hero believe the current team has what it takes to go all the way this year, and there are some striking similarities between the side of 1996 and today.
"...it has the same feeling as 20 years ago, losing those prelims and doing the apprenticeship through the finals then cracking it in 1996. Hopefully this side can replicate that,’’ Glenn Archer, told the Herald Sun.
“It is still early and there is so much footy to be played, but we are on the right track. The biggest change this year has been the constant pressure for four quarters. They are just stifling teams.”
The Shinboner of the Century believes the same selflessness that existed in 1996 is prevalent in Brad Scott's team.
“Obviously Wayne [Carey] stood above every one but the one thing with that forward line was that everyone knew their role and played it," he said.
“We didn’t have selfish players. Guys knew when to lead and when to dummy lead and then get out of the way, which was generally for Wayne.
“But I reckon you need 90 per cent of your team to be selfless and that’s what we have got at North, guys who play for the team.
“We have had some luck. We came up against the Suns and they had five players out. We came up against the Dogs and they had four out.
“But this group has been together long enough to be very predictable to each other.”
Denis Pagan agreed.
“The only thing that matters in footy is the scoreboard. North are 6-0,’’ he said.
“In footy if you are a coach or a team or a player it’s all about winning.
“You get more Ws than Ls you have a chance. If you get too many Ls you get the Tijuana Brass.
“They have already beaten Adelaide. The Dogs had injuries but they beat them.
“The only thing that matters is how many points you are on at the end of the season.
“Ron Casey said to me before the 1996 Grand Final when we were feeling the pressure, ‘Denis, if you keep finishing top four your turn will come sooner or later’.
“Four weeks later we were premiers. You just keep knocking on the door.”
Pagan is buoyed by North's forward line led by Drew Petrie who is set to play game 300.
“Just look at Drew Petrie, Ben Brown and Jarrad Waite. Under pressure you get it deep and long and give them a chance.
“Every September it’s contested ball, quick ball movement, deep entries, get front and centre. Then when it’s your turn you defend like there is no tomorrow.
“That is not a recipe that needs to be tinkered with.”
Champion Data stats reveal Pagan is right on the money with the Roos generating a goal from 31.9 per cent of inside 50s — first in the comp.
Corey McKernan knows it's in the backline where North must hold up.
“Having a big defender like Mick Martyn, you could rely on him to play on the big forwards,” McKernan said.
“Last year in Round 1 Taylor Walker took 15 marks and kicked 6.5. This year Robbie Tarrant has developed into a player who can stand a power forward and kept him really quiet.
“It’s little signs like that that show how they have improved.”
McKernan believes the Roos are a chance to be premiers again.
“Jack Ziebell and Wellsy (Daniel Wells) have stood up at different times to win games and that’s what a good team does.
“They have the right balance. There is the back-end talent with Drew (Petrie), Nick Dal Santo, Boomer (Harvey) and Jarrad Waite.
“But then they have the kids coming on. My favourite is Jack Ziebell. If you talk about guys who could have played in the 1990s, Denis wouldn’t have minded a young Jack Ziebell in our team.”
