Last week: The suspension of Corey McKernan dominated headlines

To finish Round 7 of #96Roos, the news of merger talks had just broken in the media.

It had cast a doubt over the mindset of the playing list, especially considering some of their spots may have been in jeopardy if the best of the Lions made the move to Arden Street.

But Denis Pagan was quick to squash any talk of that during the build-up to the match against Richmond at the MCG.

“From my opinion, it won’t have any effect. The fact is we are tight as we’ve ever been from the players point of view.

“One of the great things about the North Melbourne Football Club is the unity, special mateship, bonding, camaraderie.”

While North was coming off a heavy loss in Perth, Richmond had progressed relatively smoothly to a 4-3 record; one which easily could have been better with its last two losses coming by a combined total of four points.

It meant opinions were split in the previews, with neither side installed as the favourite.

“Richmond is well placed to edge out North Melbourne in the clash of those play-alike units and co-tenants at the MCG. These teams play in a similar manner and have similar structures – high marking attacks, hard-working midfields and only fair defences.” – Geoff Poulter, Herald Sun

“With (Corey) McKernan back, giving (Justin) Charles the huge task of combating both he and (Matthew) Capuano, North seems to have the trumps in what could be a tight one.” – Len Johnson, The Age

North then came out at the MCG and made a mockery of the pre-match predictions. If it wasn’t for inaccuracy, it would have been comfortably ahead at quarter-time, instead of trailing 5.0 to 4.4.

With McKernan dominating on his return from suspension, the Roos turned up the heat even further after the first break. From the start of the second quarter to near three quarter time, they kicked 7.13 to just 1.2.

The margin was 46 points with a quarter to play, with the final term played largely in cruise control. The 55-point difference at the final siren was hardly reflective of the dominance North had; finishing with 44 scoring shots to just 19.

Unsurprisingly McKernan came in for plenty of praise after the match.

“The super-athletic big man was everywhere: at the centre bounces, where he won a dozen effective tap outs, roving to his own work with seven centre square clearances, taking 10 strong marks, gathering 24 possessions, or just…thumping the ball in North’s direction.” – Rohan Connolly, The Age

“The fact is McKernan is rucking well at the centre bounces and marking so often in the forward line that there is no one player in the competition who can beat him in both those roles. I believe that at the moment he is the most valuable player in the game.” – Leigh Matthews, Herald Sun

However, one of the surprise packets on the afternoon was Darren Crocker. In his first game for a month, the forward kicked five goals to lead all players. It even left Tigers coach Robert Walls in a bit of disbelief.

“That’s something that you don’t expect. You’re looking at McKernan, Carey, Roberts can kick goals. But for Crocker to bob up with five goals…it’s something that we wouldn’t have thought likely.”

But the final word went to Pagan, who reserved a spray at the media in his post-match media conference.

“There was a lot of innuendo, a lot of lies, a lot of inaccuracies said about North Melbourne in the press, but to our players’ credit, they just focused on the task at hand, played like real professionals and went out and did the job.”

With Fitzroy next on the fixture list, the speculation was to grow even further.

Next week: In a multi-part series, the story of how the North Melbourne and Fitzroy merger unfolded

North Melbourne: 4.4.28, 8.10.58, 14.19.103, 20.24.144
Richmond: 5.0.30, 6.2.38, 9.3.57, 14.5.89

NMFC changes
In: Corey McKernan, Darren Crocker, Jason Daniltchenko
Out: Sam McFarlane, Trent Nichols, Keenan Reynolds

Goals

North Melbourne: Crocker 5, Bell 3, Stevens 3, Carey 2, Roberts 2, Scott 2, Daniltchenko 1, McKernan 1, Sholl 1
Richmond: Merenda 3, Naish 3, Rogers 2, Bond 1, Charles 1, Daffy 1, B Gale 1, M Gale 1, Richardson 1

Brownlow Medal

3 – Corey McKernan (North Melbourne), 2 – Darren Crocker (North Melbourne), 1 – Duncan Kellaway (Richmond)