North were on the rise in 2013, looking to make rebound after being on the receiving end of a 100+ point drumming in Perth in their first finals appearance since 2008. With arguably the most difficult draw in the league, it was a wonder how this young side would approach the season. And all started well for North, despite not actually winning a game until round 4, the close margins were suggesting a capable side that would really present a challenge to the top contenders of the game.
Fast forward to the end of 2013. North Melbourne finished 10th, behind an ineligible Essendon. Let's break it down:
10 wins , 0 draws , 12 losses
Of the 10 wins..
Half had margins of 10+ goals
Three had margins of less than two goals
Of the 12 losses..
Five had margins of less than 1 goal
Three had margins between 1 and 2 goals
Of the 4 matches remaining, only two matches had margins beyond 6 goals
Had North won 1 extra game, they would've finished 8th (due to Essendon's disqualification)
Had North won 3 extra games, they would've finished 7th
Had North won 5 extra games, they would've finished 6th, and been rewarded a home final
North had a percentage of 119.53 . If the ladder were placed in order of highest to lowest percentage, North would have finished 6th.
When you look at the stats above, it hurts. Taking a real good look at what happened over the season and realising what could've been, and ultimately what should have been - but didn't happen. Season 2013 for North allowed supporters to define what is a good side, and what is a great side.
A great side is one that wins the close battles against quality opposition, and holds a reputation of a quality side. A good side is a side that comes close to these great sides, but unfortunately isn't quite there yet, and may not have the ability to defeat a great side. North Melbourne in 2013 were a good side, yet showed the potential of great side, which was highlighted by the 10 point victory against Geelong in round 19. Unfortunately, the club failed to reach it's full potential... therefore missing out on the finals.
Of their 10 victories, 4 came against sides who finished in the top 8. Another, against Essendon, who finished above North (yet out of the 8 due to disqualification.) The 5 victories against sides who finished above North is the most since Scott's takeover (for interest, North defeated just 3 sides who finished above them in 2012). So that itself, is a positive, and is evidence of how much closer North are to the top sides then they had been in previous years. And there were the standout seasons for various players, none bigger than Daniel Wells, Todd Goldstein, Lindsay Thomas and Scott Thompson, who were all nominated in the 40 man All Australian Squad (and for Scott Thompson, made the final 22) and arguably had the best seasons of their careers. And the evolution of Aaron Black and Aaron Mullet, along with Jack Ziebell, Shaun Atley, Ryan Bastinac seem to be making huge improvements in their games before our eyes. Veteran and Club Legend Boomer Harvey played his 350th game, and proved no signs of slowing down. Having another outstanding season, he proved both instrumental on and off field, and will play on in 2014.
But with the good came the bad, and by seasons end, the club's inability to win games had supporters fed up. Following North's final game of the season, a breathtaking victory against Collingwood, Brad Scott's comments couldn't have been more true. Unfortunately for North this season, "Every stat you look at looks pretty good...except for wins" (Scott) And while the season finished better than it started, the close losses during the first half is what killed the finals dream for North. After the club's electrifying comeback in the 2nd half of last season, anything seemed possible for 2013, and while there's a general agreement on improvement, it simply wasn't enough to get North into September.
Back in May, I published an article, KEEPING THE FAITH , a simple and emotion fuelled response to North's struggles to finish games. If I'm honest, my feelings have barely changed. Here's why:
When you look at the 5 matches North lost by less than a goal, there are specific moments where anyone can pin point the poor decision made. The club's inability to make good decisions under pressure ultimately cost them a real chance to play September.
In 2012, North's 'grand final' came once they beat Collingwood in Round 21. Their football wasn't the same for the rest of the season. Were it genuinely possible for the club to even come close to West Coast in that elimination final? I'd like to think so... but in reality, the chances were probably very slim, and during the first week of the final series, I sat and watched my club's 2012 credibility crumble in front of my eyes over a thumping in the West.
But here, in 2013, the club paced themselves. Yes more victories did come in the second half, but the season wasn't relying on a miracle string of victories like we all saw the previous year. Rather, the season was relying on the close victories, the games which saw North come close to defeating the likes of Hawthorn, Geelong and Carlton - these games North should have won!! Was there always going to be a late challenge? OF COURSE THERE WAS! But the great side would have overcome the challenges to stand victors come the final siren. There you have it: That's the difference. That is how North Melbourne missed the finals, and instead of taking that step to become a great side, were simply a good side. No one said there was anything wrong with being a good, honest working sides... but no one said those sides make finals.
So where to from here? As the season ended on a high, it seems things can only go up. The improvement in North's game over the past few years should begin to pay off. 2013 seemed a field to test drive new players and new game plans, and hopefully 2014 will be brighter. If we can't have faith in our own club and believe in their abilities... who else will? It's up to us, the supporters of the club we love, to continue to love and support through the off season, and into 2014. Where our good club, will do great things.
Marnie x
