North Melbourne coach Brad Scott has lauded the Kangaroos' "steely resolve" and "character" to fight back and down Essendon by 12 points in an epic elimination final at the MCG on Saturday night.
The Roos were dismal in the first half and went into the long break with their tails between their legs after kicking just two goals.
Essendon's position looked nigh on impregnable when it held a 33-point lead early in the third quarter, before North flicked the switch and kicked 12 goals to five to snatch a stirring victory.
Emerging key forward Ben Brown sparked the Roos in a brilliant three-goal burst, before veteran Drew Petrie sealed the win with two snaps – one around the body and the other a checkside – from 40m out.
It was North's first finals win since 2007 and the Roos advance to a semi-final showdown against Geelong.
"I'm just elated for our players, our supporters, our club," Scott said post-match.
"Really proud of the players and everyone associated with our club should be tonight.
"The highlight's probably the steely resolve of the players at half-time when we were clearly under the pump and not playing well and the opposition were playing well.
"That's the highlight, to know that there's character within the group to come back."
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The Roos have had major issues in second quarters recently and managed just one behind in the second term on Saturday night despite having 13 inside 50s.
"We made some changes with our forward set up (at half-time), which was the problem … well there were a few problems," Scott said.
"But we went into half-time I think with one more forward 50 entry than Essendon … so that clearly needed to change."
Scott threw down the challenge to his vice-captain Petrie and pushed Brown up the ground.
"We spoke at half-time and I said 'this is what you play footy for, Drew'," Scott said.
"It's a big moment, we're under the pump, you're our big key forward, we're going to play you deep, let's have a crack at it. Leave nothing out there.
"He brought up during the week his last final where he was really disappointed and also round one against Essendon where he was really disappointed. I was rapt for him, he responded the way good players do.
"I thought (Brown) was fantastic. He kept presenting all night.
"He's one of those players, we often talk about players stepping up in the big moments in big games and he was right up for the challenge tonight."
Scott also had special praise for unflappable 18-year-old Kayne Turner (12 possessions, three tackles) in his first final in front of 78,559 fans, as well as Daniel Wells (28 possessions) and the much-improved Levi Greenwood (32) – who had 15 possessions in the final term.
North will add arguably its most important player Brent Harvey to that midfield mix against the Cats with the 36-year-old's three-week suspension now finished.
"I think he's relieved and he gets the opportunity now to repay his teammates and repay his club and there aren't too many players in my experience who come back better after a spell than Boomer," Scott said.
Scott conceded key defender Lachie Hansen (hip) will struggle to come up to face Geelong, but Leigh Adams should be in contention after battling lingering affects of concussion.
Geelong is the only side that finished higher on the ladder than sixth-placed North who the Roos failed to beat in two attempts during the home-and-away season.
"We'll have a really close look at them but we were badly beaten around the ball the last couple of times," said Scott, who will coach against his twin brother Chris.
"We’ve got some players back which will help us with that but they're a terrific side."
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