I sat at Arden Street during the JLT series, awaiting the start of North Melbourne and Hawthorn. A short time before the opening bounce, my attention was drawn to the screen. So it began, our new membership campaign featuring captain Jack. It highlighted his career from junior football to taking over as captain of North Melbourne. Throughout, re-visiting the theme of what it is to be a shinboner, and if he has lived up to that title.
While North Melbourne have presented successful membership campaigns in the past, none of them moved me, or were as relatable as the one I had just watched. Once it hit the internet later in the week, I watched it a few times again. I actually felt a shiver through my spine - It is easily the best I have ever seen.
Within the North Melbourne Football Club, being named a 'shinboner' is up there with the highest of honours.
Translate the word Shinboner - it highlights ones loyalty and passion for the club, integrity and respect as a person and dedication, grit and hard work on the field.
With Jack Ziebell presenting this simple question to us, the simple answer is yes.
In 2015, prior to the beginning of the Syd Barker Medal, the re-signing of Sam Wright and Jack Ziebell was announced. Wright with a two year contract extension (keeping him at North until the end of 2018) but Ziebell was the talking point. There were already whispers that he would take over as captain in the coming years, and then a five year deal pretty much locked that in place. A Roo until the end of 2021, a Roo for life. In a time where football loyalty is hard to come by, this was outstanding news.
But for now, back to the campaign. It is brilliant and through Jack's growth as a footballer it genuinely captures what it is to be a Shinboner.
I felt the need to blog this, to draw attention to the new era we are about to enter. Once again, there has been a yearly prediction that North will slide, however it's time to toughen up and prove the doubters wrong.
Find your shinboner spirit, and get ready for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
"Hansen goes back as cool as you like, as cool as Larry Emdur. And they've done it."
For the first time under Brad Scott, and for the first time since 2008, North Melbourne had made the finals.
It was a fairly inconsistent start to season 2012, however North bounced back from their mid season bye better than ever, knocking over most teams in their way. As they made a surge towards the top eight, it was round seventeen that would ultimately become the defining match of the season. A nail bitter against Richmond: North walking away four point winners, and four points closer to finals contention. It was this victory that saw North jump back into the eight and they would stay there until September, seeing finals action for the first time in years.
The game was outstanding, it was a well fought battle and both teams gave it their all. You know a North game is good when Bruce is excited about it. It had everything. Tough at the football, plenty of goal kickers, an electric atmosphere - it was mouth watering.
The worst thing about being at this game, was the scoreboard at the MCG. You see, there was a minute left on the clock and the scores were 98-103 in favour of North. There was a ball up right by the Richmond goals, and the footy fell in the lap of Shaun Grigg (thanks to some super Ivan Maric tap work) but the kick missed. It took the scores to 99-103, less than a minute to go. Now whoever operates the scoreboard at the G' either thought Grigg had kicked a goal, or pressed the wrong button because the scoreboard showed up 104-103. So here we all are, well aware that Shaun Grigg has missed and North were still in front but the scoreboard told us otherwise and a wash of panic ran through me like nothing before. At the final siren I went to cheer but I was so confused I has no idea what the actual score was and if we had won the game. I feel like I wasted a bit of post game celebration, because there was rather a sigh of relief when the North song came on rather than excitement. For those wondering, not long after the North song began to play was the scoreboard changed. The final score: 99-103
I think the game saving passage of play was Lindsay Thomas. His entire career he's been criticized for his selfishness, and while he took a turn in his career following that horrid form of 2011, to this day no one will let it rest. With two minutes to play, Richmond were on the rebound out of defense, and Thomas dived over the boot of Luke McGuane to smother the kick and see the ball go out of play. It was brilliant, it was desperate and the defensive element of Lindsay Thomas' game has constantly shone through since that moment. It was inspiring and most definitely a game saver.
But Lindsay wasn't alone in North's bid to take home the win and the four points. With 40 seconds on the clock, Nathan Grima got his hands on the ball and belted a kick in the direction of the North goals: it landed lace out in front of Daniel Wells who just took the ball and ran. Another smart move and another fight to keep the game in North's hands. When Drew Petrie couldn't mark the Daniel Wells' kick into the 50, Richmond managed to re bound the ball up to the centre square. When Ellis miss judged a kick to Bachar Houli, Leigh Adams dived on the ball and fisted it away along the ground. Despite a history of shoulder troubles and numerous reconstructions, Adams put himself on the line to clear the ball. "Terrific stuff," as Dennis called it. It sure was: that final minute of play was absolutely outstanding.
I have touched on this game in a previous article, when I wrote about Drew Petrie being a match winner - this was one of his finest. Five goals in the final quarter (As a team, North kicked 6 goals in the final term) and seven for the game. He monstered the opposition: grabbed everything that came in his direction and kicked a bag. You always knew that at his best, Drew was unstoppable and this was no exception. This performance would stand out as one of his finest individual performances, and really shine a light on him as the match winner.
I have watched a lot of football over the years - from my TV to the MCG and this is up there amongst my favourites because IT WAS JUST SO GOOD. It is a game I can watch over and over again and never get sick of. It boasted an incredible entertainment factor and the result was just perfection. It wasn't quite up there with the emotions of a final, and it doesn't hit home quite like some of the classics through the 90s, or those amazing comebacks from the days of Dean Laidley.
But it was damn good.
The heart, the significance and the way it played out. After watching so many replays over the off season, this was on high repeat. One of my favourite games of all time... in fact, I may go watch that final quarter just one more time.
"A player whose skill enables his or her team to win matches."
People outside of North Melbourne seem to focus on the inconsistency of Drew Petrie later in his career, however, everyone at North Melbourne (and anyone who was well educated) knew how important every element of his game was - week in, week out.
Drew Petrie's abilities went well beyond kicking big bags in front of goal: his contestant marking was outstanding, his tackling was superb, he would draw multiple defenders into a contest just to give another man the opportunity to score in front of goal, he could be thrown down back late in the game or into the ruck to mix things up a little. A true team player, and a real star.
But what made Drew Petrie so special, is he was a match winner. There are plenty of good players in the AFL, who play consistently week in and week out, and who do great things, but they just don't have a big influence - their solo efforts aren't enough to inspire a team to victory, or better yet, grab the victory with their two bare hands. But you see, this is Drew Petrie's best asset, what makes him such a brilliant footballer, and what lead North Melbourne to some memorable victories.
I love Drew Petrie. I will always love Drew Petrie.
He will always be remembered as a North Melbourne great, and rightly so.
He was our match winner.
The Tiger Trifecta
It seems as though our Drew thoroughly enjoyed his encounters against the Tiges, where he stared on multiple occasions. Bags of 4, 6 and 7 goals were just the cherry on a very rich cake, as Petrie stood out in marking contests, tackling pressure and just pure brilliance. Elimination Final v Richmond 2015
Drew made a habit of playing little cameo roles during North's finals campaigns later in his career. His performance against the Tigers in 2015 was no exception. Drew had a big influence in the third quarter - a mark and goal with two and a half minutes left of play to put North 3 points up. A second goal came thirty seconds later that took the margin out to nine points. In a game that had Richmond up by 21 points twice, Petrie's two goals couldn't have been more timely. The Roos went on to win the game, and onto the second week of the finals.
Round 12 v Richmond, 2014
I remember this game so clearly, as it was easily one of the best I've ever been to. A Sunday night at Etihad Stadium, fans were treated to a cracking game on the Queen's Birthday long weekend. It was a game of two halves. Richmond took a six goal lead into half time, and North ran out 28 point winners. At half time, Rex Hunt called on Petrie to fire up, and give the Roos some inspiration. If anyone would do it, it would be Drew... and he did. Big marks and crashing packs, along with four goals (three which came in the third quarter comeback), he was everywhere that night and North recorded a big win.
Round 17 v Richmond, 2012
The second half of 2012 was certainly one to remember. Ten victories from 12 games, and North made their way into the finals for the first time since 2008 and the first time under coach Brad Scott. There were some good wins and good contests during that time period, but none came as exciting and as brilliant as the round 17 clash with Richmond. In a tight contest all day, the game was ultimately won by Petrie. Inspiring North in the final quarter, he completed dominated play and kicked five goals in the final term and led his team to the four point win. Undoubtably the pioneer in the heart stopping victory.
The Battle of Brian Lake: Round 16, 2014
It will forever be the night remembered for Brian Lake's "choker hold" on Petrie which resulted in a four week suspension, however it was a huge night for North Melbourne. A 20 point victory against the reigning premiers saw the Roos continue their stellar season, and take it to yet another new height. Petrie, once again, had a monster influence. He kicked five goals, crunched some brilliant tackles and took a screamer at the back of the pack, proving his match winning abilities once again.
Glenn Archer's 300th: Round 13, 2007
SIX goals in the opening quarter against the Bulldogs, and seven the match. It's a performance many still talk about a decade on. North Melbourne had a rather successful 2007 - the only season since Dennis Pagan they managed to finish the home and away season in the top 4. Drew did everything - he was crashing packs, taking strong marks and made Glenn Archer's 300th one to remember (although everyone will remember it for Drew's individual brilliance). Amazingly, Petrie had been held goalless for the previous month, perhaps making his efforts extra remarkable. Despite the solo efforts, he only walked away with 2 Brownlow votes... Boomer was granted the 3.
Note: From my research, I believe the record is 8 goals kicked by an individual in one quarter.
The Match Winner: Elimination Final v Essendon, 2014
What more do you even say about this game, and these goals that hasn't already been said. I wasn't old enough to attend the 96' and 99' Grand Finals and that's why this is the best game of football I've ever been to. That feeling of euphoria that I felt on the final siren is something I haven't forgotten, and I still get chills watching the replay.
"They don't remember what you did in the first three quarters and 25 minutes.. they remember what you did in the last five"
Drew Petrie's two goals won that game for North Melbourne. Frank the tank with five minutes to play and the sealer followed 30 seconds later. The thing is, if anyone was going to win the game for us, and inspire the victory - it was always going to be Drew Petrie. While Ben Brown sparked the comeback, and Daniel Wells on fire through the midfield, it was always going to be Drew Petrie, the match winner. Whenever you think about, or talk about this game, those goals are always the first that come to mind.
I have always been a Drew Petrie fan, even in his slight decline later in his career at North. But sitting here and writing this now, it really makes me appreciate who he was (and still can be) as a player. His abilities to influence a game came in all different shapes and sizes, and he was an inspiring figure for years at the club. While he has moved West, and is looking to the next stage of his AFL career, he'll go down in history as a North Melbourne great, and our match winner.
