The network’s pre-game show was filmed in the Kangaroos’ change-rooms, with Brian Taylor, Luke Darcy, Matthew Richardson and Cameron Ling broadcasting from the viewing area as the players warmed up behind them.
"The unprecedented access North Melbourne provided our coverage on Saturday Night Footy took all footy fans into the sights, sounds and atmosphere of the pre-match. It was unrivalled and engaging content," Managing Director of Seven Melbourne Lewis Martin told The Age.
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Drew Petrie, Brad Scott and Andrew Swallow all appeared for interviews during the coverage, which netted 335,000 viewers in Melbourne.
The impressive ratings, and North Melbourne's exciting brand of football has prompted talk of more prime-time matches for the club.
"The fixture is really difficult for the AFL at the best of times, but I think what we are doing doesn't hurt," North's acting CEO Cameron Vale said.
"Whether it's the engagement with the broadcaster and then how we are playing on the field, that sort of stuff does make us a good product to watch in the main time slot. We hope that is starting to help."
Defender Michael Firrito believes the team's attacking game plan is making it more attractive to viewers both on television and at the ground.
''There have been games this year where you really notice the crowds, North fans are starting to really come out in their numbers now, which is fantastic," he said.
''There are certain passages of play, even as a player when we kick a goal, we have a look up at the replay screen and we're like 'geez, that was pretty lethal ball movement'."
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