It meant the game against Collingwood at the MCG was a dead rubber, but it didn’t stop North turning on an entertaining performance. It kicked 19 goals and held off a late charge from the Magpies to win by 11 points.
The win meant the Kangaroos finished the season in 10th place with 10 wins and an astounding percentage of 119.5 for a team which missed the finals.
Without September action, the focus turned to award season. Aaron Mullett capped a superb season by finishing fourth in the Rising Star award, while Jack Ziebell and Aaron Mullett were named in the AFL Players’ ‘22 under 22’ team.
Scott Thompson was selected as the All-Australian full back, while Lindsay Thomas was regarded as incredibly unlucky to miss out on the final 22.
Despite missing the last five games of the season, Andrew Swallow led all North players at the Brownlow Medal with 14 votes, continuing his run as a proven vote-getter. It was the fourth consecutive season he polled in the double figures.
The contract re-signings also commenced. Aaron Black re-signed with the club until the end of 2017, ignoring offers from rival interstate clubs. Meanwhile veteran Michael Firrito signed on for 2014, his 12th year at Aegis Park.
A coaching reshuffle saw Josh Drummond named as the defensive coach. It came after the former Lion spent his first year at North Melbourne in development. Shane Watson moved into a role as forwards coach, filling the role vacated by Brett Allison who joined Melbourne.
