Last week: A loss to Geelong meant North dropped out of the top two

Under the finals system in place during the 1996 season, North had to finish in the top two to have first chance at earning a week off in September.

Considering the Roos’ loss to Geelong in Round 21 left them in fourth place with a round to play, it meant destiny was not in its own hands.

To earn a chance at the week off, North ideally needed two of Brisbane, Sydney and West Coast to lose. But coincidentally, the Swans played the Eagles in Round 22 and that meant the winner had a top two spot locked in.

It also meant the loser was all but eliminated from the race, leaving it a battle between two – North and the Bears.

North’s clash against Richmond was on the Sunday, 24 hours after Brisbane’s Round 22 encounter against Collingwood at Victoria Park.

All it could do was sit back and watch on the Saturday afternoon. The Magpies had already caused one upset late in the season, rolling the Roos at the MCG in Round 15. For North’s sake, it needed another…and Collingwood delivered.

The Pies put together a seven goal to one final term to finish runaway victors by 49 points, and North’s fate was now firmly in its own hands.

The equation was simple for the Roos – a win earned second place and an opportunity at a week off if it won its qualifying final.

But the stakes for Richmond were also extremely high; its whole season was on the line. It started Round 22 in eighth place, ahead of Hawthorn by just half a game.

When the Hawks won a thrilling encounter against the Demons by one point on the Saturday night, they jumped into the last spot of the eight. It then meant the Tigers had to win to make the finals, or their season would come to an early end.

The scene was set for a high-intensity clash; one that North was favoured for leading in.

“North will have been stewing all week over its loss to Geelong. The Tigers no doubt would have preferred it otherwise. Crocker kicked five against Richmond in the last encounter, and Archer, who returns from a corky, was one of the Roos’ best that day too.

“Richmond will be anxious for Bulluss to come up, otherwise the backline lacks height against Carey and McKernan. Too many signs point North’s way.” – Len Johnson, The Age

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“North Melbourne and Richmond will go into today’s final home and away game of the AFL season with the fate of every finalist hanging in the balance.

“Not only do the Tigers need to defeat the Kangaroos to sneak into the eight at Hawthorn’s expense, but North’s potential finish is anywhere from second to fourth.” – Rohan Connolly, The Age

In glorious conditions at the MCG, North got the quick jump, leading by 21 points at quarter-time.

When the margin stretched out towards five goals early in the second term, it appeared only a matter of time before it was over a contest.

But it was just the cue for Richmond to strike back. Seven of the next eight goals, either side of half time, earned the Tigers an 11-point advantage as they roared.

Critically, North managed to hold on against the run of play. It stayed in touch, and then two late third quarter goals proved the back breaker. Having dominated play for so long, the Tigers went into the final break behind on the scoreboard.

Then came the Roos’ final quarter burst. A nine-goal term featured some irresistible football, the midfielders streaming forward and Wayne Carey unstoppable.

“Craig Sholl’s five goals were reminiscent of Darren Crocker’s tormenting feat last time Only Carey and McKernan have contributed more goals than Sholl this year in a fine transformation from disciplined defender to a trusted forward.” – Bruce Matthews, Herald Sun

“The Kangaroos achieved two of their pre-season goals: to finish in the top two, and not lose two matches in a row, feats that coach Denis Pagan recounted proudly last night. North yesterday won the hard way. It got off to a flier, was pegged back and overtaken, then relied on its patented last quarter burst to get over the line.” – Charles Happell, The Age

Second spot was North’s, and it now knew a qualifying final victory would see safe passage through to the preliminary final.

Heading into the finals series, much of the focus around North was centred around two players.

“North’s two big guns, Wayne Carey and Corey McKernan, are in fine working order for the four-week campaign that will decide the 1996 champion. Carey broke Richmond’s spirit, and not for the first time. Carey has been solid rather than awesome this year, yet has kicked 75 goals.

“McKernan produced a second half that would have brought smiles back to faces that have been longer than the MCG light towers since Brisbane won the merger battle.” – Mike Sheahan, Herald Sun

First, the Roos had to face a Geelong side which it had succumbed to just a fortnight earlier.

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Next week: The finals series arrives as North faces Geelong

Round 22 v Richmond

North team changes

In: Archer, Crocker, Harvey (new)
Out: D Stevens, Daniltchenko, Armstrong

North Melbourne: 6.5.41, 8.10.58, 12.13.85, 21.15.141
Richmond: 3.2.20, 7.9.51, 12.11.83, 16.13.109

Goals

North Melbourne: Sholl 5, Allison 3, Carey 3, Rock 3, Stevens 3, Anderson 2, Archer 1, Roberts 1
Richmond: Richardson 6, Bowden 3, Naish 3, Daffy 1, Gaspar 1, Powell 1, Rogers 1

Brownlow Medal

3 – Justin Charles (Richmond), 2 – Wayne Carey (North Melbourne), 1 – Peter Bell (North Melbourne)