"It'll be an empty feeling for North Melbourne... what might have been" - Dennis Cometti, Round 23 2013
Yes, what might have been.
2013 will be remembered as a painful year for North Melbourne, however for a season that left such a sting on supporters, I haven't seen a highlights reel quite like it.
I was absent for most of 2013 - with a working holiday planned in the US, I missed the home and away season that followed after round 10. I thought the only pain I'd be experiencing would be withdrawals from my beloved sport, however those at home were going through a much greater emotional rollercoaster.
Over the past month or two, I decided to familiarise myself with season 2013. There's a lot I needed to catch up on, quite I bit I wish I missed, and plenty of shining lights along the way. I know the timing of this is quite odd. Three seasons on and I've finally got around to finishing up the year that was 2013. However, it left me similar confusion to what I felt at the end of this season - a bitter sweet sensation, and a true understanding of the highs and lows of AFL.
Over the past month or two, I decided to familiarise myself with season 2013. There's a lot I needed to catch up on, quite I bit I wish I missed, and plenty of shining lights along the way. I know the timing of this is quite odd. Three seasons on and I've finally got around to finishing up the year that was 2013. However, it left me similar confusion to what I felt at the end of this season - a bitter sweet sensation, and a true understanding of the highs and lows of AFL.
North Melbourne finished 10th that season, with ten wins, twelves losses and the 7th best percentage in the league. It wasn't quite what most expected from the club in season 2013. On the back of a manic finish to 2012, finals were most certainly on the agenda.
The biggest losing margin was 39 points, and there were five games decided by less than a goal... North losing each one of them. There were six games won by 9 goals or more, with one win exceeding three figures. A strange year indeed.
That quote from Denis Cometti came at the close of Collingwood v North Melbourne in round 23 at the MCG. More than 50,000 came out to witness one of the Roos best wins for the year. That win had a bit of everything. Multiple lead changes, plenty standout players and a great contest that went down to the wire. And that game was played like many others in that season, however North didn't get the four points on many of those occasions.
The most soul crushing moment of my football career came in Round 9, 2013. I have cried at the end of three football matches, and this was the second one. (For those wondering, the first was following a one point loss to Freo in 2003, and the other was at the 2016 Grand Final when Luke Beveridge called Bob Murphy onto the stage to receive 'his' medal). This game still haunts me (and many of you reading this, I am sure) to this day. It was horrific and sometimes I still can't believe what went on that day at Etihad Stadium. Up by five goals with five and a half minutes to play - how could anyone let that slip. You can't forget that the week before, North lost the game against West Coast in Perth thanks to a mark and goal from Nic Nat after the siren. So while we had nine days to recover from that, no one would've thought that the worse was still to come. That one point loss to Adelaide was the lowest point of the season, and brought more questions than answers.
The biggest losing margin was 39 points, and there were five games decided by less than a goal... North losing each one of them. There were six games won by 9 goals or more, with one win exceeding three figures. A strange year indeed.
That quote from Denis Cometti came at the close of Collingwood v North Melbourne in round 23 at the MCG. More than 50,000 came out to witness one of the Roos best wins for the year. That win had a bit of everything. Multiple lead changes, plenty standout players and a great contest that went down to the wire. And that game was played like many others in that season, however North didn't get the four points on many of those occasions.
The most soul crushing moment of my football career came in Round 9, 2013. I have cried at the end of three football matches, and this was the second one. (For those wondering, the first was following a one point loss to Freo in 2003, and the other was at the 2016 Grand Final when Luke Beveridge called Bob Murphy onto the stage to receive 'his' medal). This game still haunts me (and many of you reading this, I am sure) to this day. It was horrific and sometimes I still can't believe what went on that day at Etihad Stadium. Up by five goals with five and a half minutes to play - how could anyone let that slip. You can't forget that the week before, North lost the game against West Coast in Perth thanks to a mark and goal from Nic Nat after the siren. So while we had nine days to recover from that, no one would've thought that the worse was still to come. That one point loss to Adelaide was the lowest point of the season, and brought more questions than answers.
While North were stringing together loss after loss, it didn't stop their competitive spirit. Okay there were games that really should've been won. Against Adelaide, West Coast and Geelong to name a few. But on other occasions North played so well and their biggest downfall were that they simply couldn't get the job done. Take Round 5 against Hawthorn - that was an absolutely cracking game and both sides could barely be separated all day. I don't know if they physically could've done anything more to get the win. They were brilliant that day, and they were pretty good against Carlton as well. Once again, the result simply didn't go their way.
But there were plenty results that did go North's way. In game 350, Boomer starred in a 68 point victory over St Kilda. Majak Daw booted six majors in a 9 goal win against the Bulldogs, while everyone joined in the party at the MCG in round 18, when North belted the Dees by 122 points. Nathan Grima kicked his first goal in the 45 point win against Essendon, and the Roos stunned their pals Richmond by 62 points on a cold July afternoon... You see what I mean by plenty of highlights.
There were individuals who shone throughout the season too. Scott Thompson was named All Australian Defender at the end of 2013, taking down the elite forwards of the competition. Daniel Wells celebrated 250 games and enjoyed some consistency in his football. The pair's brilliant best was on display, and they each took home a 2013 Syd Barker Medal. Lindsay Thomas had a cracking start to the season, and ended with 51 goals for the year. Forwards Drew Petrie, Aaron Black and Robbie Tarrant were a force to be reckoned with. Boomer returned from a six week suspension in round 7, and finished the year in style.
In a year that had so much, North gained little for their efforts and hard work. Failing to place in the 2013 final series, not much credit was given in their direction. As I reflect on the year that was, it saddens me a little as to what may have been. After the outstanding 2014 that followed, it makes you wonder what might have been had North made that 2013 final series.
While we can't change the past, we can now look ahead to the future, and abandon the memories we have held close to us for so long. It's an exciting road ahead, but we can never truly appreciate what's the come, if we can't remember what we lived through.
I hope you enjoyed our trip down memory lane, as another year comes to a close.
I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas, and a happy, safe new year.
See you in 2017,
Marnie.
But there were plenty results that did go North's way. In game 350, Boomer starred in a 68 point victory over St Kilda. Majak Daw booted six majors in a 9 goal win against the Bulldogs, while everyone joined in the party at the MCG in round 18, when North belted the Dees by 122 points. Nathan Grima kicked his first goal in the 45 point win against Essendon, and the Roos stunned their pals Richmond by 62 points on a cold July afternoon... You see what I mean by plenty of highlights.
There were individuals who shone throughout the season too. Scott Thompson was named All Australian Defender at the end of 2013, taking down the elite forwards of the competition. Daniel Wells celebrated 250 games and enjoyed some consistency in his football. The pair's brilliant best was on display, and they each took home a 2013 Syd Barker Medal. Lindsay Thomas had a cracking start to the season, and ended with 51 goals for the year. Forwards Drew Petrie, Aaron Black and Robbie Tarrant were a force to be reckoned with. Boomer returned from a six week suspension in round 7, and finished the year in style.
In a year that had so much, North gained little for their efforts and hard work. Failing to place in the 2013 final series, not much credit was given in their direction. As I reflect on the year that was, it saddens me a little as to what may have been. After the outstanding 2014 that followed, it makes you wonder what might have been had North made that 2013 final series.
While we can't change the past, we can now look ahead to the future, and abandon the memories we have held close to us for so long. It's an exciting road ahead, but we can never truly appreciate what's the come, if we can't remember what we lived through.
I hope you enjoyed our trip down memory lane, as another year comes to a close.
I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas, and a happy, safe new year.
See you in 2017,
Marnie.
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