In the 150-year history of North Melbourne, and in fact the game in general, no team can compare to the achievements of the sides that represented the club in the VFA in the 1914, 1915, 1918 and 1919 seasons (the competition was suspended 1916-1917 due to the First World War).
In that period, the club won 59 consecutive games, resulting in three premierships, and two undefeated “champion” seasons.
The first premiership in this run of success was in 1914 against Footscray. North won by 35 points.
A journalist had this to say about our victory.
“The winners, as against Essendon in the semi-final, were a very good combination, and are undoubtedly a good all-round side.
“Their little skipper, Charlie Hardy, is a gem of the first order and played a slashing game. I have never seen a player more expert at picking up on the run. He fields the ball like a cricket ball, without relaxing his speed in the slightest. His passing, kicking and judgement could not be faulted.
“Moran, who had been accepted for service with the Australian Expeditionary Force has a field day, and received an ovation when he came out. He got five goals in his plucky, cool way and covered himself with glory.
“Carpenter, roving and forward, Jones in the centre, Rawle and Barker in the ruck, and Gardiner at half-back where all fine.”
North 150: The North Name
In 1915, North achieved something that had not been done since 1893, when the team went through the entire season without defeat. This culminated in a Grand Final win over Brunswick by 48-points and the team was rightly hailed as “Champions” due to its unbeaten year. The club was led superbly by Syd Barker.
When the competition resumed following the war in 1918, the team picked up where it had finished off two years earlier and was undefeated through the home and away season. In the finals, North started with a 48-point victory over Brunswick in the semi-final, which led to a Grand Final against Prahran for the flag.
The domination of North, league-wide, was never more evident than on Grand Final day. The final score - North 18.13 (190) Prahran 3.10 (28). With this victory the club achieved three VFA records, the highest winning score, the highest winning margin and also an individual record achieved by T Stevens who kicked 9 goals in the game. He led the goal kicking in the competition with 54 for the season.
Once again, under the captaincy of Syd Barker, the club was recognised as the “Champions” for going through another season undefeated.
North achieved the amazing record of having won 31 consecutive games, as well as three premierships through two undefeated “champion” seasons. The run of unbeaten success finally came to an end in the first final in 1919, but North still made the Grand Final but was defeated by Footscray on a rainy day and sodden ground.
It must be recognised, that one of the most important reasons for the club’s success of three premierships, was due to the iconic combination of Charlie Hardy, Syd Barker and George Rawle (pictured).
Along with the premiership success, by the end of their careers at North, all had the honour of being named club captain, which was further evidence of their wonderful contribution to the club.
A piece written by “Old Boy” in the The Australasian on the 15th June 1940, pays tribute to the North Melbourne Football club during this era:
“North regained the premiership in 1914, 1915 and 1918 (there was no play in 1916 and 1917), and that team I think the best whichever represented an Association club.”
The record of the team in that era still stands unprecedented in football history and deserves recognition in North’s 150th year.
Reference: The North Story, Fr Gerard Dowling 1997
