This week North Melbourne will play its 150th game at Etihad Stadium. In the 15 years since the ground opened, the Kangaroos have won 86 games, to go with 61 losses and two draws.

Today, NMFC.com.au is asking fans to vote on their most memorable victory at the venue, using the 10 games below as a guide.

Did we miss any games? Have your say in the comments below.

Round 4, 2000 v Geelong
North Melbourne 15.14.104 defeated Geelong 15.9.99

North’s very first game at Etihad (then named Colonial Stadium) was one for the ages. Facing Geelong, it was a back and forth clash and the first time Leigh Colbert had faced his old side.

It looked like the Roos had the game in their keeping, but a late Cats’ charge brought the game down to the wire. Just before the final siren sounded, Clint Bizzell let fly with a monstrous torpedo from 70 metres out.

The siren rang as the ball was in the air, but it sailed just wide, giving North a five point victory.

[RELATED: Watch the match highlights]


Round 14, 2000 v Brisbane
North Melbourne 17.14.116 defeated Brisbane 17.10.112

In a rematch of the 1999 preliminary final, big things were expected of the game and it duly delivered.

A 10-goal second quarter from North looked to have broken the game wide open, and it still led by 40 points at three quarter-time.

However Brisbane came home with a wet sail, kicking seven goals to one in the final term. Eventually North held on by four points in a high-quality encounter before 26,326 fans.

Wayne Carey kicked five goals and had 26 disposals in a virtuoso performance but didn’t receive any Brownlow votes. Shane Clayton received the only best-on-ground of his career with 26 disposals and two goals.

[RELATED: Watch the match highlights]


Round 17, 2000 v Melbourne
North Melbourne 14.19.103 defeated Melbourne 14.18.102

In a bizarre outing, North only won one quarter but still managed victory by a solitary point. It helped that the victorious term featured an astounding 11.7 in the second quarter, a club record which still stands to this day.

Outside of the second quarter, North only kicked 3.12 to Melbourne’s 12.15 – a 57-point differential. Wayne Carey earned the three Brownlow votes for a five-goal, 21-possession game.


Round 7, 2001 v Collingwood
North Melbourne 15.9.99 defeated Collingwood 14.13.97

It was Rocca v Rocca for the first time, as new Roo Saverio faced Anthony and the Magpies on this Sunday afternoon.

North had been struggling in the first six rounds of 2001, winning just two. Meanwhile Collingwood had won four of six to enter as favourites.

Momentum swung back and forth and eventually it was Saverio who emerged with bragging rights. He kicked two goals to Anthony’s two behinds as North won by two points.


Round 11, 2003 v Richmond
North Melbourne 13.14.92 defeated Richmond 13.11.89

A game which needs no introduction, the Jason McCartney game lives on as one of the most memorable nights in North Melbourne’s history.

Making his comeback after almost losing his life in the Bali bombings, McCartney kicked an early last quarter goal and assisted for the match-winning Leigh Harding goal.

After the emotional win, the number 5 announced his retirement, capping his comeback with a moment which will last in fans’ memories for a lifetime.

[RELATED: Watch the match highlights]


Round 3, 2005 v St Kilda
North Melbourne 15.10.100 defeated St Kilda 14.9.93

Two consecutive wins to start 2005 had North full of confidence heading into its clash with St Kilda.

However the Saints had a 16-game winning streak at Etihad and when they led by three goals late on, the match appeared over.

Shannon Grant came to the rescue late on a 30+ degree afternoon, kicking clutch goals and leading the side to a stirring victory.


Round 19, 2005 v Collingwood
North Melbourne 15.14.104 defeated Collingwood 14.14.98

Late in the 2005 season, North was battling for its first finals appearance under Dean Laidley. A win over the Magpies would all but assure September action.

Collingwood then proceeded to hold sway for most of the afternoon under the roof. A late missed opportunity stopped it from stretching the lead out to four goals, and it was all the opening North needed.

Continuing a season full of dramatic comebacks, the Roos came home with a rush. With less than a minute remaining and the scores deadlocked, Nathan Thompson marked 50 metres out from goal. The resulting set shot sailed through the middle and the Kangaroos’ sealed a spot in the top 8.


Round 9, 2008 v Western Bulldogs
North Melbourne 16.17.113 defeated Western Bulldogs 16.14.110


Entering the rooms at half-time, North trailed the Bulldogs by four goals and looked out of the game. Jason Akermanis and Brad Johnson had five goals between them and it seemed the Kangaroos had no answer.

In Brent Harvey’s 250th game, the side responded in the second half. Five goals in each of the third and final terms saw North lead by 10 points well into time on.

However Johnson popped up again, goaling to cut the margin within a goal. As the siren sounded, he had a set shot to put the Bulldogs in front but it sliced wide, giving Harvey a milestone to remember.


Round 21, 2009 v St Kilda
North Melbourne 10.4.64 defeated St Kilda 8.11.59

Huge underdogs on the afternoon, North entered its game against St Kilda almost 14 games behind on the ladder.

A flying start had the Kangaroos leading by 32 points late in the first term. They then proceeded to hold on for dear life from wave after wave of St Kilda attacks.

The Saints entered their forward 50 on 23 more occasions than North, but the underdogs refused to go away. With Drew Petrie as the focal point up forward, the key-forward kicked two vital goals in the final term while being triple-teamed by the St Kilda defence.

The end result was a five-point victory, sending the fans home happy and giving coach in waiting Brad Scott something to look forward to

[RELATED: Watch the match highlights]


Round 19, 2013 v Geelong
North Melbourne 15.6.96 defeated Geelong 13.8.86


The most recent of the 10 wins, North battled Geelong in a high-intensity, high-quality Friday night encounter.

It appeared to be travelling almost identically to the meeting earlier in 2013. North earned an early lead before Geelong set out to take it away.

This evening ended differently, as the Roos’ midfield showcased new-found maturity in holding off the Cats. The evergreen Brent Harvey earned the three Brownlow votes for 37 disposals and seven inside 50’s, while Daniel Wells and Ryan Bastinac kicked seven goals between them.

[RELATED: Watch the match highlights]



 

comments powered by Disqus