While there have been losing streaks to the likes of Sydney and Hawthorn to go with troubles interstate, no team has delivered as much heartbreak as the Eagles.
So far in 2014, North has eliminated two of its long-standing hoodoos. It ended a six-year losing streak to Sydney and also won at Patersons Stadium for the first time in seven matches. It bodes well for Sunday's clash against the Eagles, but first NMFC.com.au looks at the previous games which North will be looking for redemption from.
Round 8, 2013
North Melbourne 13.10.88 defeated by West Coast 13.12.90
In the most recent clash, it was a tight from start to finish. The margin never stretched beyond North's 17-point quarter time lead and with only a few minutes to go, the Roos led by nine.
West Coast finished strongly, with a Shuey goal cutting the margin to three. With the ball in dispute on the wing and time ticking down, Adam Selwood won a controversial free kick for a high tackle. The Eagles went long inside 50 where Nic Naitanui took a spectacular contested mark.
The ruckman went back after the siren and kicked truly, condemning North to a two-point loss in front of more than 38,000 at Patersons Stadium.
Elimination Final, 2012
North Melbourne 9.12.66 defeated by West Coast 24.18.162
North rolled into its first final since 2008 on the back of 10 wins in 12 games and high on confidence.
It ran into the red-hot Eagles on a scorching Perth afternoon. Never in the game, North conceded seven unanswered goals in the first quarter.
While a third quarter resurgence raised hopes, West Coast put the foot down in the final term and stretched the final margin towards three figures.
Round 15, 2012
North Melbourne 13.6.84 defeated by West Coast 12.14.86
Three consecutive wins had North high on confidence when it met West Coast at Blundstone Arena. A 27 point lead at half time had a fourth win in reach.
However the Eagles emerged in the second half and worked back into the game behind three goals from Quinten Lynch. Dean Cox came into the game after Todd Goldstein suffered a heavy knock and with just a couple of minutes left, Cox completed the comeback with a goal from distance.
Round 6, 2012
North Melbourne 15.5.95 defeated by West Coast 17.18.120
When West Coast fans give North and Brad Scott an icy reception at home games, the aftermath to this loss is usually the reason why.
Speaking in the post-match media conference after North was on the wrong end of a 29-15 free kick count, Scott made mention of how West Coast players drew free kicks by lowering their knees just before contact.
It ignited a media storm, and Eagles fans with long memories haven't forgotten what was said.
Round 1, 2011
North Melbourne 13.10.88 defeated by West Coast 13.14.92
North travelled to Perth to begin its season against the Eagles. Although West Coast had only won four games in 2010, it was predicted to be one of the better sides.
In a topsy turvy game, both sides enjoyed leads of two to three goals, and it again came down to the wire. West Coast led by five points in the closing minutes when Luke Shuey won a free kick for a high tackle, much to the displeasure of Brady Rawlings.
Shuey went back from long range and kicked truly, starting North's losing streak against West Coast. It currently sits at five heading into Sunday's clash.
