In many ways, 2012 shapes as a similar season to 1993. With a young, talented group of players on-field taking a step up, there were impressive performances and heartbreaking close losses.
So far this year, there has been three two-point losses. North Melbourne started its preparations for Round 15, 1993 having just come off its fourth loss by eight-points or less for the year.
After the one-point loss to Fitzroy in Round 14, first-year coach Denis Pagan criticised the mentality of his players, claiming 'maybe...close enough is good enough'.
Essendon, the eventual premiers, had won seven of its last eight games heading into the Friday night clash at the MCG. Everything was set for a high quality, prime-time encounter.
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North responded to Pagan's blast with a seven-goal burst in the opening quarter and headed into the first change 19-points ahead. Six of the seven goals came from John Longmire, Wayne Carey and Adrian McAdam, a forward trio which was the envy of most opposition teams.
They kicked a remarkable 207 goals between them for the season - 75 for Longmire, 64 for Carey and 68 for McAdam. With McAdam able to play as a small forward as well as a leading one, it gave the North forward line added flexibility to mix and match depending on who had the hot hand.
The Bombers hit back and turned the 19-point deficit into a 10-point lead with a quarter to play. It was up to the ladder-leading Kangaroos to show what they were made of.
An eight-goal final quarter answered the doubters emphatically. Running all over the top of Essendon, Wayne Schwass was instrumental through the middle of the ground, combining with Anthony Stevens and Anthony Rock to give the forwards centimetre-perfect delivery.
The close games between the two sides were arguably a sign of things to come with some epic contests in the late 1990's.
North Melbourne 7.2.44, 9.3.57, 11.7.73, 19.15.129
Essendon 4.1.25, 8.7.55, 12.11.83, 13.13.91
GOALS
North Melbourne: Longmire 6, McAdam 6, Carey 4, Allison 1, Roberts 1, Romero 1
Essendon: Plain 4, Salmon 2, Misiti 2, Bewick 1, Grenvold 1, O'Donnell 1, Somerville 1, Symons 1
BROWNLOW MEDAL
3 - Wayne Carey (NM), 2 - Paul Salmon (ESS), 1 - Mick Martyn (NM)
