Off-season recruit Leigh Colbert had departed the Cats in acrimonious circumstances the previous summer and prepared to make his North debut in prime-time.
34,623 packed into the new stadium expecting to see a physical, high-quality encounter against Geelong and from siren to siren, it was exactly what they received.
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Denis Pagan swung a surprise with Wayne Carey starting at centre half back, meaning Colbert played out of the goalsquare in the first quarter.
The move paid dividends as Colbert kicked two of North’s four first quarter goals. However during the electrifying start, Colbert strained his hamstring and played minimal game time.
Geelong began to seize control in the closing stages of the first quarter, kicking the last three goals to go into the first change with a seven point break.
Despite the efforts of Carey down back, mopping up what seemed like anything and everything, Geelong started the second quarter much like it finished the first. If it wasn’t for misses from David Clarke and Glenn Kilpatrick, North’s deficit could have ballooned out.
Perhaps buoyed by the let off, North battled its way back into the game and trailed by just six points at half time.
Again in the third quarter, it appeared it would be a tight battle throughout, with the sides splitting the first four goals of the term.
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But then, almost out of nowhere, North kicked into another gear. The last four goals of the third term turned a close game into a 20-point lead at the final change.
Adam Lange, at just 21-years-old and playing in just his ninth game, was surprisingly the player causing the most trouble for Geelong’s key defenders. A superb one-handed mark against Tim McGrath late in the third quarter was capped off by a 55 metre goal.
Rumours had spread throughout the week that many of the Roos had been battling viruses. Whether it was the case or not, the run that was a feature in the third quarter had completely disappeared when the sides came back out for the final term.
Early missed chances to Winston Abraham and Peter Bell proved costly as Geelong stormed back.
Ben Graham, moved deep forward, kicked two last quarter goals as part of the Cats’ surge. Four consecutive goals meant North now had to play from behind.
A remarkable goal from Shannon Grant gifted North the lead back, but just when it appeared the game was done and dusted, the fans were treated to one of the most bizarre finishes in recent memory.
Two goals down with just a minute to go, Ronnie Burns pulled the margin back to six points. Then, with just seconds left, Clint Bizzell collected possession in open play around 70 metres out.
Bizzell unleashed with a massive torpedo which sailed just wide of goal. The siren sounded just seconds later to signify a North win by five points.
North Melbourne 4.1.25, 7.5.47, 13.8.86, 15.14.104
Geelong 5.2.32, 8.5.53, 10.6.66, 15.9.99
Goals
North Melbourne: Harvey 3, McKernan 3, Colbert 2, Lange 2, Abraham 1, Bell 1, Clayton 1, Grant 1, Pickett 1
Geelong: Stoneham 3, Bizzell 2, Burns 2, Graham 2, Houlihan 2, King 1, Milburn 1, Mooney 1, Spriggs 1
Brownlow Medal
3 – Brent Harvey (NM), 2 – Corey McKernan (NM), 1 – Brad Sholl (Geel)
