I sometimes wonder what the fascination is with this game.
Don't get me wrong. I, like everyone, loves a big win against a big team who is having a big season... which is exactly what this victory was.
But North enjoyed a few good wins last season.
We had a great win over eventual premiers Richmond in Rhyce Shaw's first outing as coach.
And a come from behind victory against Hawthorn to kick off our 150th anniversary celebrations.
And what about Ben Brown's 10 goals against Port Adelaide? That was a true masterpiece.
So there were some big moments last year, but the Collingwood game still sticks out in the minds of supporters as the "Game of 2019".
I mean, it even beat out Jack Ziebell's match winner in the goal square with 29 seconds to go against the Bulldogs in 2018 for this latest NMOpinion flashback.
There must be something so special about this game that allows it to stand out above the rest.
Let's take a look back at the game first.
It was North's first game back from the bye and Rhyce Shaw was looking for his third victory from four starts as interim coach of the club.
And it was (almost) a complete demolition.
North held Collingwood to five goals for the entire game. The physicality and pressure coming the Pies way was too hot to handle.
There was a moment halfway through the third quarter that at the time (as well as now, looking back on the game) that made me realise this was truly a new look North Melbourne side.
Ben Cunnington uncharacteristically shanked a kick about 20 metres along the ground that Collingwood's Hoskin-Elliot gathered and passed off to Sidebottom, who passed it onto Pendles. None could break free, as there were countless North players closing in. The ball was hand passed back and fourth a few more times, before it landed in the hands of Pendles again. The Pies skipper was met with a crunching tackle from young gun Nick Larkey.
He was caught holding the ball, and Larkey took possession.
Scott Pendlebury is a tricky guy to nail down, let alone by a kid in his 11th game.
It was then that it all made sense.
I think the new look and attitude displayed throughout that game is what made so many North fans realise that a new era was beginning. From this game forward, the noise in favour of Rhyce Shaw's appointment as senior coach started to grow louder. Our hunger was growing and our attitude was changing for the better.
That's what makes this game so special to North fans.
It finally filled them with some belief that had left the building some time ago.
It was the start of something new.
For those wondering what else made this game so different, you'll need to go back anoher two years prior.
Against Collingwood in Round 20, 2017 Ben Brown was taken from the ground on a stretcher late in the second quarter with concussion. He wouldn't return, instead spending the night in hospital.
North barely functioned for the remainder of the game. Not even Jack Ziebell's five goals were enough, as we went down by 54 points.
Fast forward almost two seasons and Ben Brown didn't have an influence on this game either.
He played the entire game, but he barely made a dint on the scoreboard.
He missed four shots on goal.
And that was no problem for a 'new look' North Melbourne.
Ziebell again stood up, kicking three. But he had some help.
Some help in the form of LDU, Turner, Thomas and Larkey, just to name a few.
The kids stood up and ran over the top of a top four finisher.
North had a younger and slightly less experienced side. North fielded seven players with less than 50 games experience to Collingwood's five.
I also want to make mention of Jasper Pittard's game.
Because I can. And because he was one of North's best on the night.
25 disposals at 88 per cent disposal efficiency (seven intercept) , nine marks (included one contested over a 211cm Mason Cox), two goal assists, five inside 50s and seven one percenters.
And for those looking to pick a bone with him... just the one turnover.
It was a superb performance.
It was also a brilliant performance by best and fairest winning Ben Cunnington.
He had 37 touches, seven clearances, two marks and four tackles to go with his three Brownlow votes.
I tipped North to win the game and it ended up being the right move.
After watching both sides closely for a few weeks leading up to their meeting, it was clear that North's best under Rhyce Shaw was better than what Collingwood was stringing together.
The result? A 44 point victory to North Melbourne.
Pure grit, hard work, heart and soul.
THAT there is something I couldn't predict.
It led to a game that instilled confidence in supporters - which had left the building quite some time ago.
But I can assure you that in this new era, it won't be leaving anytime soon.
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