With the Carlton Draught flowing on tap behind the bar, the group mainly from the 2000s, was debating who the best player was in that era.

“We’re going to try and do it more often now, get together, talk about who had the greatest career and have a few beers,” 192-gamer Jess Sinclair said.

The likes of Anthony Stevens, Hamish McIntosh, Blake Grima, Daniel Harris, Leigh Colbert, Mick Martyn, Michael Firrito, Corey Jones, Callum Urch and Josh Gibson finding it hard to go past Brent Harvey, also in attendance, as their number one.

“He (Harvey) still reckons he should be playing and should have got a three-year extension at the end of 2015,” Sinclair joked.

The gathering came off the back of North’s recent partnership with Carlton and United Breweries (CUB) as the club’s official beer and cider provider for the next three years.

The players enjoying CUB’s wide range of beer and cider, including Carlton Draught and Mercury Cider.

“I was talking to Colby (Leigh Colbert) a couple of weeks ago and we were just saying how after footy (everyone) just sort of disperses in their own direction and I was literally on the couch and thought, “That’s it. I’m going to get proactive, get the boys together.” (I) started up a WhatsApp group. So there’s about 40 guys on it now,” gathering organiser Sinclair explained.

“Apologies to anyone that’s not on there that should be!”

For former captain and two-time premiership champion Stevens, moments like the one on the weekend don’t come around often enough.

“Micky Martyn’s turning up, (he) grabbed two tickets … (we) haven’t seen him walk in so we reckon he’s actually outside selling them off! He does like his money!” Stevens said laughing.

“These types of gatherings two or three times a year are just fantastic because the boys love getting together. A lot of the supporters here are rapt to see the past players come and mingle with them.

“There are a lot of guys that only played a few games here and there that I haven’t seen for a long time like Kris Shore, David Trotter, even Hamish McIntosh I haven’t seen for a long time … Nathan Thompson’s going to come; I haven’t seen him forever,” Sinclair added.

Although the Roos missed out on the four points, going down to the Swans by a solitary goal, it didn’t dampen the spirits of those who had also given the club their all.

“A pity about the result but we had a ball together up here,” Harvey said after the final siren had sounded.

“We all really cherish these moments and love getting together to talk about the games of the past and memories we all shared. It was a great afternoon.”

The good times are set to roll on, however, with CUB to provide beers and cider at all key club events, including the Mazda North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast and all AFLW and VFL home games.

“It’s great to see fans and our past players like Jess and Boomer responsibly enjoying our new partnership with CUB,” North managing director & CEO Carl Dilena said.

“CUB is Australia’s leading brewer, and an iconic brand with a long affiliation with AFL.”

CUB is proud to extend its relationship with the North Melbourne Football Club, said CUB’s Vice President of Marketing, Richard Oppy. 

“We value our partnership with North and we’re excited to be further integrating our iconic brands with the club and its supporters.”