Every week, we'll be heading into the archive to recap some of the great games throughout North Melbourne's rich history.

An upset 18-point victory over Geelong in the Qualifying Final sent North through to the 1997 Semi-Final, but given its finish to the season, perhaps it wasn’t as unlikely as one would think.

15 rounds in and the Roos were 11^th on the table, with a big finish to the home and away season the key to playing in September.

Wayne Carey had booted seven goals against the Cats, and while a dream matchup loomed against the Eagles and one of his great rivals Glen Jakovich, things didn’t quite play out as expected.

The Eagles’ Phillip Matera was on fire early, albeit with some inaccurate goal-kicking, as the visitors took a 17-point lead into quarter-time.

Peter Bell and Anthony Stevens were working hard in the middle, while Corey McKernan was battling in the ruck, but Ben Cousins’ third quarter goal stretched the margin to 32 points.

After a premiership just a year earlier, North’s campaign looked all but over.

But a veteran defender-turned-forward had other ideas, as Craig Sholl stepped up when it mattered most.

Check out all the highlights from a classic final, thanks to Spirit of Tasmania.