Flashback: Round 12 2014 v Richmond

This has to be one of my favourite games I've been to over the years.

For many reasons.

For what it was in the moment, because everyone loves a comeback story.

How it further enhanced North Melbourne's 2014 season, because looking back on it as a whole it was full of memorable victories.

It was our first glimpse of the 'third quarter blitz' that shaped a number of games later in the season, none more memorable than the 2014 Elimination Final victory against Essendon.

And finally, because the game's hero was Robbie Nahas, who played a vital role against his old side. But we'll get to him later. 

The game took place on Queen's Birthday Eve. Good to know that we made the most of a rare marquee fixture. 

North entered the game in 8th position, Richmond in 13th. 

And I'd say that was a reflection of how North and Richmond's relationship played out from about 2010 to 2016. 

Richmond did get over North here and there but it was on the rare occasion.

Both sides featured in a few final series, but only North managed to advanced past the first week.

Let's not discuss what happened since and while Dimma and Brendan Gale have done a marvellous job with Richmond, I'd rather look back on fonder times. 

North had defeated West Coast the week prior to this game in Perth and it showed early. The struggle that is the WA return was real. 

Despite a fairly even first quarter, Richmond pulled away in the second and took a 35 point lead to the half time break.

True to form, I was panicking because who wants to be almost six goals down at half time to a Richmond side seeking blood? Not I.

But then something magical happened.

It was the birth of the "third quarter blitz."

Within fifteen minutes into the third term, North had piled on six unanswered goals and hit the front.

And the man who put us in front?

Robin Nahas.

It's a crime that the man only played 34 games for North. 

He kicked 35 goals and was a pretty hand pick up. Had it not been for injuries he probably would've enjoyed a longer tenure at the club.

But let's apprecaite what he did do during his three seasons at North; a time that is reflected upon fondly by most.

Nahas kicked the goal that put us in front in the third quarter and kicked the sealer against his old side in the fourth.

Ahhhhh, memories.

But now back to the blitz.

Six goals in 15 minutes in this game against Richmond was just the start of things to come.

Five goals in the first 13 minutes of the third quarter against GWS in Round 20. We finished the quarter with eight unanswered goals.

Five within fifteen minutes against the Dogs in Round 21.

North also had big third quarters against Melbourne (Rd 14), Hawthorn (Rd 16) and of course THAT Elimination Final.

Five goals in 11 minutes, between the six and 17 minute mark of the third quarter against Essendon that set up a finals win for the ages.

It was something about the third quarter that fired up the troops. 

Once we got started, we just didn't stop.

And it's probably what I remember most about the 2014 season.

We had so narrowly missed finals in 2013, that we fought hard to make up for it the following year.

The usual suspects made it happen.

Boomer took the three Brownlow votes in round 12 for his all-round spectacular performance.

He had 25 touches, five tackles, a couple clearances and three goals. So in other words, it was just Boomer Harvey doing Boomer Harvey things.

Drew kicked four, Goldy single handedly had 43 hit outs to Richmond's 35, and former captain Andrew Swallow had 29 touches, seven tackles, nine clearances and three marks in his 150th game.

Gee Swallow was exceptional in the middle.

Nowadays it's often hard to think about anyone other than Ben Cunnington dominating at the stoppages (for those interested, Cunners had eight clearances this night) but Swallow worked so cleanly that he was often underrated. 

One afternoon in 2011 against Adelaide at Etihad, he had 39 touches and 17(!!!!) clearances. We may save that for another day, though.

It's no surprise why people love this game so much.

The opponent is probably up there for a lot of people, but it doesn't really bother me. It could've been against anyone and still held such significance. 

I think it really set the scene for what was to come in the back half of the season.

Up to that point in the year, North had enjoyed some very good wins.

There were not one but TWO victories in Perth, a couple of Boomer Harvey-inspired victories in rounds two and three and a big, rare victory over the Swans... at the SCG! 

Overall, there are incredible memories of that season.

But the win against Richmond came smack bang in the middle. It had a comeback story which was replicated in the EF. Often those two memories can be tied together.

Finally, the game is rather entertaining. And ultimately we turn to sport for entertainment, so why not indulge a little in a game that was good.

Just skip the second quarter yeah?

And don't say I didn't worn you!