Last time: North earned a week off by disposing of Geelong in the Qualifying Final
North’s Preliminary Final opponent was confirmed when the Brisbane Bears comfortably disposed of Carlton in the Semi Final.
Despite his Blues’ side being eliminated at the Gabba, David Parkin still had a clear favourite in mind for the flag.
“Brisbane had just crushed his team by a whopping 97 points, but the coach of the self-confessed worst team in this year’s finals – Carlton’s David Parkin – still believed that North Melbourne would win the flag.” – Steve Perkin, Herald Sun
Both Brisbane and North had injuries to deal with. However, for one side it had all but ruled the player out, while for the other it was stuck in a race against time.
“The Bears have sent Michael Voss (ankle), Matthew Clarke (Achilles) and Jason Akermanis (hamstring) to Sydney’s State Sports Centre at Homebush, where they are virtually living in a hyperbaric chamber for 48 hours in an attempt to throw off injuries.” – Greg Denham, The Age
“North Melbourne veteran Matthew Armstrong is expected to win a recall for Saturday’s preliminary final clash against Brisbane at the MCG. Armstrong is the most fancied of four contenders to replace Stuart Anderson, likely to miss with an injured hamstring.” – Geoff Poulter, Herald Sun
For the Roos, the motivation of the 1994 and 1995 Preliminary Finals was driving the group, determined not to make it three early exits in a row.
“What has happened to us over the past two years really hurts, and if we don’t draw maximum motivation from that, then I don’t know what will get us going. We may have played better games in other years than we did this year, but our teamwork and belief in ourselves has never been better.” – Corey McKernan to Damian Barrett, Herald Sun
North was firm favourite heading into the match, with a large factor its familiarity with the MCG.
The Bears hadn’t played on the venue all season.
“A moment of truth. The MCG will be more suited to North’s game than either the Gabba or Carlton. With Akermanis out and a query over Voss, Brisbane may have lost the edge in pace it normally enjoys over North’s midfield. The Bears will be competitive, but North’s big guns, Corey (McKernan) and (Wayne) Carey, will eventually take over.” – Len Johnson, The Age
Right from the start of the clash, on a sunny afternoon at the MCG, North asserted its dominance.
Wayne Carey was unstoppable, Mark Roberts was influential early and the Roos’ ball movement was quick and clean.
At the first break, the margin was already 32 points. By half-time it had stretched to 50 and at one stage in the third term it blew out as far as 75.
“There was one, predictable outstanding player on the field. Wayne Carey took marks at will. He laid off handballs that resulted in goals. He booted three himself when the game was still in dispute and had he added a couple more, his game would have rivalled his 1994 preliminary final, when he almost carried North to the Grand Final.” – Jake Niall, The Age
“North coach Denis Pagan described the performance as ‘sensational’ and could not find a disappointment in the effort. North is in the enviable position of having both its seniors and reserves in Grand Finals. And Pagan cheekily suggested a couple of players in the reserves had a chance to gain promotion this week.” – Rod Nicholson, Herald Sun
North was finally into the final weekend of the season, for the first time since 1978. And later that night, its Grand Final opponent was confirmed when Tony Lockett kicked a point after the siren to get his Swans over the line against Essendon.
It set the scene for a build-up unlike any other.
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Next time: The big one, as North faces Sydney in the Centenary Grand Final at the MCG
Preliminary Final v Brisbane
North team changes
In: Matt Armstrong
Out: Stuart Anderson (hamstring)
Scores
North Melbourne: 8.3.51, 11.7.73, 16.9.105, 17.12.114
Brisbane: 3.1.19, 3.5.23, 7.8.50, 11.10.76
Goals
North Melbourne: Carey 3, Roberts 3, Sholl 3, Crocker 2, Allison 1, Capuano 1, Freeborn 1, King 1, McKernan 1, Scott 1
Brisbane: Champion 2, Lynch 2, Fletcher 1, Hart 1, Lambert 1, Lappin 1, Leppitsch 1, McAdam 1, White 1
