North’s desire for more blockbuster matches received a huge boost with a record crowd flocking to Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

At 7.50pm, when the ball was bounced, fans were still streaming through the gates to watch the Roos play the Bulldogs.

47,622 supporters (the majority wearing royal blue and white) took their seats for a scrappy, but epic affair.

To give some perspective, it was the Roos’ third-highest turnout against the Bulldogs ever, the biggest crowd at the venue in over three years, and the club’s best turnout at the ground since 2008.

The club also had its biggest member turnout of all-time.

When the game was in the balance, it wasn’t just Jarrad Waite and Daniel Wells making an impact.

“The crowd was just awesome,” Luke McDonald said after the match.

“I reckon that’s the loudest it’s ever been, other than finals. It’s just great that the crowds keep coming out, and we’re performing for them.”

NMFC best crowds v Bulldogs

68,050 – MCG, Round 22, 1998,
56,112 – MCG, Semi Final, 1985
47,622 – Etihad, Round 6, 2016
44,683 – MCG, Round 15, 1999
39,433 – MCG, Round 13, 2007
37,299 – Etihad, Round 22, 2015
34,971 – Etihad, Round 9, 2008

NMFC best Etihad Stadium crowds

53,312 - v Collingwood, Round 14, 2003
49,419 - v Essendon, Round 14, 2004
48,721 - v Collingwood, Round 3, 2006
48,696 - v Essendon, Round 14, 2005
48,501 - v Geelong, Round 20, 2007
48,288 - v Collingwood, Round 13, 2002
48,100 - v Essendon, Round 1, 2008
47,622 - v Bulldogs, Round 6, 2016
46,610 - v Collingwood, Round 16, 2008
46,423 - v Carlton, Round 16, 2012
45,966 - v Richmond, Round 15, 2013
45,818 - v Essendon, Round 1, 2012
45,331 - v Essendon, Round 12, 2003
44,956 - v Collingwood, Round 21, 2012
44,833 - v Collingwood, Round 10, 2004
43,972 - v Essendon, Round 7, 2015