And while I struggle to find any genuine positives about the off seasons, there's definitely one.
Now we have the opportunity to relive all the best bits of 2015, while skipping the more forgettable moments. So that's exactly what I've done! I've picked out my eleven favourite things about 2015 and put them all in one spot for you to watch over and over again. You can thank me later.
11. Re Signings and Brent Harvey
All throughout the season, North have continued to deliver in the re-signing department. Potentially the most unforgettable came when the club announced the re-signing of defender Robbie Tarrant. A man who has struggled with injuries season after season, came out in 2015 and had a huge impact in his new position down back... and it certainly got our tongues wagging. However, it also sent the rumour mill into over drive that he would take his new role; his new found form and find himself a new home. With rival clubs showing very very strong interest, it was only adding more fuel to the fire. However, on an afternoon in mid August, North Melbourne broke the news that Tarrant had signed a new four year contract. A welcomed announcement at Kangaroo land.
While their were big signings throughout the season, it was the off season which hosted the major news. At the Syd Barker Medal, it was announced that captain-in-waiting Jack Ziebell had committed himself to the club for six years, while his former roommate Sam Wright had signed on for three. Now that was a superb way to kick off awards night. And last this week, superstar ruckman Todd Goldstein announced his contract extension, keeping him at the Roos until the end of 2019. And it's not just the players who are signing new contracts. While in Utah, Brad Scott announced his contract extension as coach of North Melbourne until the end of 2018.
While there were announcements big and small, none came bigger than Brent Harvey signing for season 21 in the blue and white. Now, let's just talk about our Boomer for a moment. He is 37 years old and in 2015 he became the fourth man to reach 400 AFL games. In that match against Brisbane he starred, too... and in the elimination final, and in round 21 against Fremantle, and he is continuing to produce some career-best football. While I haven't dedicated an entire spot to Boomer, it's because his name is mentioned pretty much everywhere else on this list... also I don't need to remind everyone of how spectacular he is! Boom is well and truly on track to become the AFL games record holder, with Michael Tuck's 426 games quickly approaching. And in case that news wasn't enough for fans to digest, Drew Petrie crashed Boomer's press conference to announce he too has signed on for another season. What a year it has been.
10. Ben Brown
He came out of the woodwork in 2014 and after his four goals in that elimination final against Essendon and from then on, we all knew big things were coming. His love affair with Essendon continued in 2015, as he kicked another bag of four in our Round 16 clash, while he kicked bags of 3 on five occasions. Brown was the only Roo listed in the '22 under 22' squad, a tremendous effort for the young man. To top it all off, he took home the 'Best Young Player' award on Syd Barker Night. There is a lot to learn and a lot to like. He's undoubtably one to watch.
9. Anthony Stevens on Open Mike
It was the must watch interview that sent the football world into a frenzy. While he celebrated a successful career at North, including two premierships in the 90s, Anthony Stevens will always be remembered for the off field scandal involving his (now) ex-wife and former teammate Wayne Carey. While we sit here over a decade on, these events still tingle in the minds of all involved with the club and even those on the outside. For Wayne Carey, he's moved on to build a life for himself in the media and good on him for getting help and getting himself to where he needs to be - but for Stevo, it's safe to say we have seen or heard much from him since his retirement. The interview was incredible. It was so honest and so raw and it was incredible to see him come such a far way. Speaking about all things from Carey to Pagan to playing in the 1999 grand final. He's a true legend of the club and it's something you cannot go any longer without watching!! (Only the highlights are posted below. See youtube for full interview)
8. Trent Dumont on debut: "The teenager, right now the hero"
There were a lot of good games from a lot of individual players. Jarrad Waite's 7 goals against Brisbane, Todd Goldstein's domination against Essendon and Brent Harvey's 31 possessions against Richmond , but there wasn't a performance as exciting as Trent Dumont in round four. The teenager made his AFL debut against Geelong at Simonds Stadium. No Victorian side had won a game at the ground since 2007 (which was us) and down by 19 points at quarter time wasn't exactly the way we would've wanted to start. While North worked their way back into the game and hit the front, Geelong were firing in the final quarter, with the game well and truly up for grabs.
Queue Dumont: the sub comes on in the fourth, with the Roos just two points in front. His first touch, a kick out to Waite, perfect. Then he continues running into the 50 and receives it back from Waite, next comes a handball over the top to set up a Ben Brown goal. It's sensational football.
But it doesn't stop there, as Geelong get it quickly out of the centre to the other end and score a major. Next time Dumont has the ball, he's crumbed it off a spoil and kicks his first career goal with the outside of the boot. North went on to claim the victory, and their first win at Geelong in 8 years. While there were others who contributed, and throughout the season we saw many other stand out performances, not many stick out in the mind like this. A debut to remember, and potentially the best sub performance since Ben Speight against the Bulldogs in 2011.
7. Tasmania
Another successful season in Tassie? Check.
North have built up a sensational following down in Hobart, along with some phenomenal form. The Roos travelled three times to Tasmania in 2015, and came back victorious on all occasions. Since playing their first games at Blundstone in 2012, they have returned 7 wins from 9 games... there's way too much to like about that. In 2016, North will take footy in Tasmania one step further, by playing a Friday Night fixture at the ground in round 11. It's a good thing for footy and a great thing for us. Let's keep on winning.
6. Jarrad Waite and Shaun Higgins
Day one of the free agency period 2014: North sign Shaun Higgins and Jarrad Waite.
An injury prone midfielder and a tall forward over 30. What????????
It's safe to say there were a lot of questions surrounding North's play for both Higgins and Waite, and while it seemed like a big risk at first, 12 months later, it has certainly paid off.
Waite was the leading goal kicker at the club in 2015 (along with Drew Petrie, 42 goals each) and Higgins next in line with 39. Waite played some big roles in many big games, with the highlight being his role against Richmond in the elimination final. Higgins had an injury-free run, and his spectacular form was rewarded a spot in the All-Australian 40 man squad. Many touting him as the recruit of the season, he was a huge contributor in every game. At seasons end, Higgins finished third in the Syd Barker Medal (just two votes behind 2nd placed Cunnington), and Waite just outside the top 10. What a season it has been for both players, who both hit career best form in 2015. What 2016 will bring? If these two play anything like they did this season, we are sure to be in for a treat.
5. The Winning Streak
The first half of the year was pure torture. Lose one, win one, lose one, win one... it became a frustrating pattern. The losses were big. Heavy defeats to quality sides - a critical flaw we thought the club shook following last years endeavours. The wins, however, were big too, in both margins and significance. A win against Geelong in Geelong for the first time in 8 years, victors in the elimination final replay and two significant victories in Tasmania (one against a very impressive WCE outfit) just to highlight a few. But it was simply frustrating. This side could not get on a role and many critics were starting to doubt our ability to defend the 2014 finals campaign... Until round 15. After a month on the sidelines Brad Scott was back, Nick Dal Santo was looking better than ever since returning from injury - we faced Geelong at Etihad Stadium for what would be the first of seven consecutive victories. North knocked over Geelong, Essendon, Brisbane, Carlton, Melbourne, St Kilda and Fremantle. While there was still talk about the quality of opposition, to string together seven wins in a row was an impressive venture by anyones standards.
4. Brad Scott
Arguably the lowest point in season 2015 was the loss to Collingwood in round 9. It brought back horrid memories of 2013 and our 'brilliant' ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. I won't sit here and relive that game because it's sheer torture for all of us, however what followed days after was a shock to the system. When every North supporter was sitting at home wondering what on earth happens next, Geoff Walsh announced that Brad Scott would miss the next four games as coach, due to emergency back surgery. Out went B Scott and in came Darren Crocker, caretaker coach for 4 games and the bye, however even he could only take North to 2-2. I don't know what happened and how, but I absolutely loved Brad Scott's response when he returned as coach. He knew the game plan wasn't working and that something had to change. Seven wins in a row and a no bullshit approach and attitude to the game. However the wins weren't his only victories. The most notable difference? None other than Ben Jacobs re-invention as a tagger. The career-saving move helped Jacobs find his spot in the side, and helped North shut down some of the most influential game players. And the other, was the way he stood up following his round 23 'resting' decision - while many didn't agree with what he did, they did agree that the 22 men who fronted the field and took on the Tigers played wholeheartedly with effort and went in to win the game. And on top of it all, that first half sure was entertaining (highlighted by Majak Daw, I would say). What Brad did to turn our side around was brilliant, and to make a second consecutive Prelim was beyond anyone's imagination. In 2015, Brad Scott stands behind only Pagan and Barassi as a North Melbourne coach in finals and has extended his contract until the end of 2018- a great way to top of a great year.
3. Round 21: North Melbourne v Fremantle
Without a doubt, the best home and away victory in 2015. Talk about a team effort and talk about a hustle. Fremantle kicked 7 goals in the opening quarter and we allowed them a 24 point lead into the first break. Of course that's when everything started to change. We began to chip away at them quarter by quarter and walked away 11 point victors. It was our 7th consecutive win, it was a victory against the ladder leaders and it was the victory that secured our position in the 2015 final series. It was a huge effort by the whole team. Brent Harvey with 4 goals was outstanding - particularly in the second quarter, Ben Jacobs shut-down job on Nat Fyfe to the point where half the time I forgot Fyfe was actually playing. The ruck battle between Todd Goldstein and Aaron Sandilands was one of the best we have seen for some time and every man on the team played their part in the win. It really was a game won as a whole and the crowd was every bit a part of it. The supporters were roaring and the cheer following Goldstein's goal in the dying seconds were so loud that no one could really hear the final siren - both at the game and on the TV replay. It was every bit a 22 man victory and the best of the H&A season.
2. Todd Goldstein
For the past few seasons, he's been in the mix. A handful of AA squad nominations, a few standout games, a handful of Brownlow votes, but for Todd Goldstein in 2015 - it was beyond anything we had seen before. For years (so it seems) North supporters have been screaming at critics to give this man the recognition he deserves. Yes, he's often made a small step or two however this year Goldstein took his game to new heights, establishing himself as the elite ruckman in the competition. He was ranked the #1 ruckman in the comp, and smashed previous ruck records both in a game (80 v GWS in round 12) and in a season (1058 - the first player to reach 1000 hitouts in a season). He finally made the All-Australian side (just the 2nd NM Ruckman to do so), won The Age's "Footballer of the Year" and placed 10th in the Brownlow Medal. Finally, Goldstein won his first Syd Barker Medal, as North's best player for 2015. He topped the season off by signing a new contract, keeping him a Roo until the end of 2019. After a tremendous year, many standout games, memorable moments and a decorated season, Todd Goldstein, without a doubt, as been North Melbourne's footballer in 2015. He's cemented himself as one of the game's elite, and there should only be more to come in 2016.
1. 2015 Final Series
While the scalps taken by Todd Goldstein in 2015 were magnificent, and the winning streak during the season was great, and many individuals had their moments both on and off field, there is nothing more the club wants to see than passion, hunger and success. In 2014, some huge scalps taken against great sides, grounds were conquered across the country and with two finals victories under our belts - the bar was set high for 2015. To say supporters weren't sceptical, and weren't doubtful with an inconsistent opening half to the season, all anyone wanted was us back on track and back into September contention. Following North's 7th consecutive victory over ladder leader's Fremantle, we has secured our spot in September, and the final series sure lived up to it's mouth watering hype.
At the MCG on Sunday Afternoon, 90,000+ fans packed the MCG to see North take on Richmond in the Elimination Final. The two sides had met nine days earlier, when the Tige's belted the Roos under Friday Night lights, but it very quickly became a thing of the past. The crowd were up and about and Richmond got off to a flying start. They took out a 21 point lead TWICE in the game, and were desperate to win their first Elimination final, after falling in 2013 and 2014. However, once North got going, it wasn't meant to be. Brent Harvey was best on ground with 31 disposals, while Ben Jacobs shut down Richmond captain Trent Cotchin, who had just nine possessions for the day. Drew Petrie kicked back to back goals in the 3rd quarter, once again playing a vital cameo role when the side needed him most. Jarrad Waite was the difference up forward with 4 goals, and most of his play at ground level was inspiring. Lindsay Thomas kicked a vital goal in the final term when he came on as sub. Shaun Higgins collided with Tiger Dylan Grimes in a display of sheer courage and determination that was admired by all. Each and every player stepped up and North Melbourne deserved that victory and won the game as a team. It was a euphoric feeling at the MCG on the final siren, bringing back the rush and excitement we had lived the year before.
Speaking of the year before, in week two North flew to Sydney to get revenge following their 71-point humiliation in the Prelim final just 12 months earlier. North Melbourne lined up against an injury-depleted Swans outfit and prevailed winners. Despite a slow start, the Roos prevailed by 26 points. Ziebell, Cunnington, Dal Santo and Higgins got the job done in the midfield, while Waite booted 3 goals in the win. The game was less exciting, there were fewer golden moments, however the feeling was nothing short of extraordinary. North Melbourne were off to their second consecutive preliminary final, and became the first team in history to make it after finishing in 8th position.
Unfortunately for North Melbourne, they fell short of the big dance once again, this time going down to West Coast in Perth by a bare margin of 25 points. It felt like a much worse loss than that of 2014 because we were so close - much closer than we had been the year before. When I sat at the MCG the following week and watched West Coast unravel within the first 15 minutes of the grand final, all I could wonder what could have been.
While there was a lot to like about 2015, I wanted to keep the focus on exactly what stood out in my mind. But there are always some special mentions - Taylor Garner's hard grit (the kids a good find, rough around the edges. Exciting things to come), Kayne Turner's 3 goals against Richmond in round 23, Luke McDonald's goal against Sydney: the first of his career in a game he only found out he was playing ten minutes earlier, Robbie Tarrant (everything's to love. From his comeback, to his re-signing. So much positives), Drew Petrie and Majak Daw victories on GF day (Drew in the longest kick and Maj in the sprint), Jack Ziebell's 60M goal against Carlton, Robin Nahas soccer off the ground against Melbourne (and the fact that he laughed about it too), Jarrad Waite's 7 against Brisbane, Nick Dal Santo's comeback from injury (he's like the iron man. The footy he was playing in the second half of the season was outstanding - a true champion), Majak Daw's goal against Richmond in round 23 (that goal was the sole highlight of the game) Michael Firrito winning the clubman award at the B&F (gem of a human), Lachie Hansen's return to football, Everything about Brent Harvey that I haven't mentioned previously, Darren Crocker (just so much appreciation for that man), Sam Wright finally getting some recognition he deserves... OKAY I WILL STOP NOW.
There is so much 2015 that could be discussed and should be discussed during the off season. 2016 is promising to be a big one and I know that I can't wait for it to begin.
Get excited and get on board for the ride!
Go Roos!
- Marnie x
