In 2007, North Melbourne faced its biggest off field challenge in the club's history.
Crippling dept, countless doubters and a competition pushing for a relocation to the Gold Coast.
There were a few major factors that arguably saved the club - one being the supporters.
Rallying in numbers, donating money and time all for a result to keep the Roos in Melbourne.
But North Melbourne fans were as vocal on the field as they were off it. Week in, week out fans flocked to watch the Roos play and many saw first hand the rise of the Roos on field that year.
North Melbourne played eight home games in Melbourne that year for an average crowd of 34,362.
Fast forward just over a decade to 2018 and North's average home crowd in Melbourne (from eight games) is a mere 24,738.
That's approximately a 28 per cent drop in attendance over the last 11 years.
To add further insult, the average home crowd at Carrara in that year (11,320) was larger than that at Blundstone this year (10,879).
And for one more stat - North Melbourne played three home games in front of a 40,000+ crowd in 2007 but in 2018 played none.
Crowd attendance across the league is increasing in numbers but unfortunately for North, we are badly bucking the trend.
Sure, on field in 2007 the Roos finished fourth compared to ninth in 2018, however we finished in the bottom four in 2006 and 2017 respectively. So where has everyone gone?
This is not to say North Melbourne supporters don't love their club, aren't loyal or are not supportive. Supporters donated their own money during the 'Keep North at Arden Street' campaign a few months ago. There's now a decent sized, keen group of supporters in Tassie who are going to a few games each season. Supporters are loud and vocal and more than happy to stick it to the media if criticism or identity error comes the clubs way.
But when responsibility falls on supporters to buy memberships, show up to games and physically support the club week in and week out - many go missing.
Yes, there are factors which disadvantage the club. Some very frustrating time slots, home games against expansion teams at Marvel, other commitments on a weekend, lots of supporters interstate... but why use excuses to play the victim instead of growing stronger? Do you think that's what the likes of Carlton or Melbourne supporters do? No.
When it comes to expansion clubs, the reality is everyone has to play them and if the AFL wants to schedule the games at Marvel instead of Blundstone, Metricon or Olympic Park then the AFL will do just that and it's the supporters responsibility to show up and support.
Not going to games became "Marvel has a weak atmosphere" is probably the worst excuse because I can't imagine there's much atmosphere at home in your living room. If you cared about the club and had the option to go to the game, why wouldn't you?
I'll be the first to admit - when media personnel call the club out on poor crowds I am on google and looking for crowds weaker than ours. But in reality why are we worrying about what other clubs are doing? Do I really care if St Kilda or Carlton play in front of no one? No, not really. The media will call out who they want and the onus is on supporters to show up and shut them up rather than further proving the point.
North Melbourne fans need to get the AFL world talking for all the good reasons. Fans need to turn up to games every week and support the club. We demand the club to preform better on field so why should our performance as fans be excused?
Still disgruntled we didn't relocate to the Gold Coast? Not over the dismissal of Boomer and Co two years on? Then you can't seriously call yourself a die hard or loyal supporter. Don't have a membership to get into games? Ask around, I am sure someone could lend theirs to you.
If you're sitting here, reading this and thinking "but I live interstate" or "I work on weekends" or "I can't make Sunday games because I take the kids to activities" then use common sense and know this obviously doesn't apply to you every single week. But when you're in a position when you can attend the game, then please go and support the club you claim to love so much.
Supporters played the most important role in the clubs survival and revival 11 years ago so why can't they still play the part? If you're sick and tired of hearing 'relocation to Tassie' talks or 'North Melbourne have no supporters' or 'they play in front of no one' then do something about it. Every bum on chair helps and gives the club purpose to stay and play in Melbourne.
If you love the club and want to make a difference then now's your chance.
I know I do.
