April started controversially, with fallout from a head clash between Lindsay Thomas and Ben Reid during the season opener.

Thomas had attempted to shepherd Reid out of the contest, but mistimed it with the result two groggy players.

Thankfully for North, the Match Review Panel took no action and the small-forward was free to play against Geelong in Round 2.

And it appeared Thomas would be a crucial factor in an unlikely victory. 40 points up late in the second quarter against the Cats, everything was looking good, but Geelong launched another of their famed comebacks and with just seconds left, Jimmy Bartel won a free kick in the forward 50.

After a 50 metre penalty, Bartel was taken to the goalsquare, converting the goal and condemning North to its first heartbreaking loss of the season.


Meanwhile at VFL level, Aaron Black was beginning to show some good form - a glimpse of what was to come.

At 0-2 on the season, North then travelled to Blundstone Arena for an encounter with Sydney. With both games in Hobart scheduled for early in 2013, it meant slightly warmer conditions than usual.

Once again it looked like the home side was on track for win number one of the season. A 14-point half-time lead was a reward for a good start, yet it all turned in the third quarter.

The Swans went on a rampage, kicking 11 goals to one. Within a quarter a two goal margin was a 47 point deficit. North eventually fell by 39 points despite winning three of four quarters.



Needing a spark to turn the season around, a debutant provided it.



It had been a long journey for Majak Daw. After being selected in the 2009 Rookie Draft, his development was one of the main talking points surrounding the club.

Straight away the Sudanese-born Daw made an impact on debut. A mark and goal inside the first minute was the springboard North needed on the way to a 32-point quarter time lead against Brisbane.

It was a rollercoaster day for the number 38 who was knocked cold following a head clash not long after. He was substituted out of the game.
The early rush of goals essentially sealed the result though and the Roos cruised to a 63-point win – their first of the season.

While Daw took all the headlines, Black was still turning in quality performances for North Ballarat. When Lachlan Hansen was a late withdrawal for the Round 5 clash with Hawthorn at the MCG, the number 35 was handed his opportunity.

Few gave North a chance against the Hawks, especially coming off the infamous loss the last time the sides met at Aurora Stadium.

Despite the consensus, it was a tight game from the outset. With the margin no greater than 11 points at any break, North was right in it until the end. However, in what was becoming a regular trend, it fell just short.

Shaun Burgoyne was inches away from being caught with the ball 20 metres out from the North goal when the final siren sounded.