Every Wednesday, until footy returns, we'll be heading into the archive to recap some of the great games throughout North Melbourne's rich history.
This week, we take you back to the Preliminary Final of 1976, and a clash against Carlton at Waverley Park.
While Carlton had finished the top of the table in '76, the memories of Malcolm Blight's amazing torpedo match-winner earlier in the year were no doubt still fresh in the mind.
With both teams having lost their first finals, against Hawthorn, there were high stakes on the line at Waverley Park - a Grand Final berth awaited the winner.
Two umpires controlled proceedings for the first time, while the Blues sprung a surprise with some last-minute moves, bringing in Mark Maclure and Leigh McConnon to catch North off-guard.
The Blues were the dominant side all year and were expected to get the job done, in perfect conditions.
By quarter-time, North looked in trouble; Graham Melrose left the ground injured, and just a few minutes into the second, the Blues led by 17 points.
North wasted key opportunities. Wayne Schimmelbusch kicked out on the full from 30 metres, while Darryl Sutton missed a sitter soon after.
Enter Malcolm Blight; the man who broke Carlton hearts earlier in the year, pulled down a huge mark on Bruce Doull, then slotted a goal from 40 metres out.
Sam Kekovich was dragged at half-time, without a possession to his name, as Peter Keenan came into the game.
The see-sawing battle continued throughout the second and third quarters, and by the final change, just two points separated the teams.
When Carlton kicked the opening goal of the final term, the task became an almighty one for North - but the likes of Darryl Sutton and Barry Cable began to stand tall.
69,234 fans were on the edge of their seats for the dying stages of a classic ... and Ron Barassi had a move up his sleeve that turned the game - Blight into defence.
Watch the final stages of the match below, thanks to Hello Solar.
Carlton 2.1 5.5, 7.9, 9.12
North Melbourne 1.0 4.2 7.7 10.7
Leading goals: Darryl Sutton 5, Malcolm Blight 2
Leading disposals: Barry Cable 35, John Burns 29, Malcolm Blight 28, Keith Greig 24
