Especially North Melbourne.
We've been to hell and back in our time and have always come out the other side, stronger and more united than ever before.
At half time in Sunday's round one game against St Kilda, we found ourselves in hell.
29 points down going into the main break, down to one rotation on the bench and skills so poor it would have been enough to turn off any American watching on for the first time.
St Kilda were too quick, too slick and we had no answers.
Even our best ball users were fumbling the ball.
You know you're in trouble when Shaun Higgins is running at 40 per cent disposal efficiency and Jared Polec shanks a sitter, right in front of goal.
There was a lot of work to do.
But we were ready for the fight and came out on top.
The team dug deep and found effort and belief.
And with that came heart that inspired a memorable two-point win.
It was just the second time in 11 years that North Melbourne fans around the world celebrated a season opening victory.
And it could be the last victory we see for a while, with the AFL season suspended indefinitely from the end of round one.
There is a lot of praise to be directed at the players and I'll get to that, but I want to talk about Rhyce Shaw first.
His ability to make the required changes at half time to win back total control of the game and lead the team to victory was brilliant coaching and even better leadership.
North didn't just work their way back into the game after half time but they completely dominated.
St Kilda scored just one goal in the second half which came from a free kick. The ball barely left North's attacking 50 and when it did, opposition players were under such pressure that these 'clearing kicks' were often rushed and resulted in a turn over.
It was complete suffocation.
And it wasn't just the tactical changes he made as coach, but also the emotional ones.
He moved to coach from the bench in the second half and spoke directly to his players as much as possible. He's a people person, he's all about relationship building. Clearly wanted a more direct line to the players so he made it happen. That emotional care is something us, as a club, loved about him from the very beginning and he went above and beyond to provide that to our players during the game and to the Australian public in his post match press conference.
Just re watching Rhyce Shaw’s post game press conference and I’m almost in tears.— marnie cohen (@marniecohen) March 22, 2020
Look at the way he opens the presser. Wow, just wow. What an exceptional man and leader.
Couldn’t be prouder to have him represent our team and our sport 💙 @NMFCOfficial pic.twitter.com/v3Qo7arrs8
Rhyce delayed the start of his press conference on Sunday to address the Australian public during these difficult times and to throw support behind all those struggling around the country. We often have to remind ourselves that there are things going on around us that are bigger than footy and Shaw's decision to deliver such a simple, kind message to those watching post game was just outstanding. It's leadership at its finest and I couldn't be happier that this is the man representing our club.
Now back to the game...
For Rhyce Shaw to change up the game (and post game) like he did, for the managers on the bench to ensure we could run out the game with just one rotation on the bench and for our players, from the oldest to the least experienced to all stand up and record an incredible victory?
Now back to the game...
For Rhyce Shaw to change up the game (and post game) like he did, for the managers on the bench to ensure we could run out the game with just one rotation on the bench and for our players, from the oldest to the least experienced to all stand up and record an incredible victory?
That's heart.
As for the players? Every individual stood up and had his moment.
Aaron Hall's classy snap in the third quarter. Cam Zurhaar's huge hit on Zack Jones. Ben Brown's clean pick up off the deck in a crowded 50 to get the ball to Nick Larkey which resulted in a goal. Polec & J-Mac's smother on Ryder's shot from the goal square in the dying seconds of the game. All match-defining moments.
But let's focus on two players in particular: one old and one new.
Aaron Hall's classy snap in the third quarter. Cam Zurhaar's huge hit on Zack Jones. Ben Brown's clean pick up off the deck in a crowded 50 to get the ball to Nick Larkey which resulted in a goal. Polec & J-Mac's smother on Ryder's shot from the goal square in the dying seconds of the game. All match-defining moments.
But let's focus on two players in particular: one old and one new.
At the end of 2019, there were rumours circling Todd Goldstein's future at North Melbourne. There was growing interest from Geelong in the ruckman, who were rumoured to have offered him a four-year deal.
But he stayed true to North Melbourne, turning his back on Geelong's offer and remaining a Roo for life. And we should be thanking our lucky stars he did.
Sure, he may be 31 years of age but Goldy is one of the most reliable and durable big men in the game.
On Sunday, he kept us in it in the first half and led from the front in the second.
He had 27 hit outs, more than St Kilda's ruckmen Ryder and Marshall combined, 14 touches (10 contested) at 86 per cent efficiency, seven clearances and a goal. They may not seem like massive numbers but boy were they influential.
Goldstein also played 99 of a possible 103 minutes of the game - almost all in the ruck. His endurance is phenomenal, even at 31!! He was a joy to watch on Sunday afternoon and once again, make his mark as one of the most important players in our side.
19-year old Curtis Taylor was as much of a joy up forward.
He's a live wire, with his energy and creativity exactly what the team needed .
Taylor kicked his first career goal, to go with 10 touches (seven contested), three marks and a couple of tackles. He looked exciting when he had the ball in his hands. He makes us excited about the future. We may be waiting a while to see him play again, but I am already looking forward to it.
When captain Ziebell went of with a knee injury early in the third quarter, the usual suspects came to life in his place.
Match winner Ben Cunnington was once again a force to be reckoned with. Shaun Higgins was equally brilliant alongside him. Robbie Tarrant, Jamie MacMillan and Shaun Atley all stood tall in the dying minutes of the game to hold on to victory.
And it meant the world to them.
I've never seen a post game celebration like we saw on Sunday.
Just like the North Melbourne Football Club, it was all heart.
We've been to hell and back many times before and the competition, as a whole may be on its way again.
But we'll stick together and come out bigger and better on the other side.
We always do.
It's the Shinboner way.
But he stayed true to North Melbourne, turning his back on Geelong's offer and remaining a Roo for life. And we should be thanking our lucky stars he did.
Sure, he may be 31 years of age but Goldy is one of the most reliable and durable big men in the game.
On Sunday, he kept us in it in the first half and led from the front in the second.
He had 27 hit outs, more than St Kilda's ruckmen Ryder and Marshall combined, 14 touches (10 contested) at 86 per cent efficiency, seven clearances and a goal. They may not seem like massive numbers but boy were they influential.
Goldstein also played 99 of a possible 103 minutes of the game - almost all in the ruck. His endurance is phenomenal, even at 31!! He was a joy to watch on Sunday afternoon and once again, make his mark as one of the most important players in our side.
19-year old Curtis Taylor was as much of a joy up forward.
He's a live wire, with his energy and creativity exactly what the team needed .
Taylor kicked his first career goal, to go with 10 touches (seven contested), three marks and a couple of tackles. He looked exciting when he had the ball in his hands. He makes us excited about the future. We may be waiting a while to see him play again, but I am already looking forward to it.
When captain Ziebell went of with a knee injury early in the third quarter, the usual suspects came to life in his place.
Match winner Ben Cunnington was once again a force to be reckoned with. Shaun Higgins was equally brilliant alongside him. Robbie Tarrant, Jamie MacMillan and Shaun Atley all stood tall in the dying minutes of the game to hold on to victory.
And it meant the world to them.
I've never seen a post game celebration like we saw on Sunday.
— North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) March 22, 2020
Just like the North Melbourne Football Club, it was all heart.
We've been to hell and back many times before and the competition, as a whole may be on its way again.
But we'll stick together and come out bigger and better on the other side.
We always do.
It's the Shinboner way.
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