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.
