The year is 1990 and North is in the midst of somewhat of a rebuild.

Ninth and 11th the previous two seasons, the Roos have just installed a club legend, Wayne Schimmelbusch, as coach.

A 53-point loss to Melbourne in Round 1 was hardly the desired start, but on a Friday night against Richmond, the future was on show.

Among the youngsters in the side, Anthony Rock (six career games), Anthony Stevens (six), Liam Pickering (seven), and an emerging forward named Wayne Carey (six). 

The average games-played tally of the North lineup ... just 44. 

So when North booted 13 goals to one in the first term, it's fair to say the Tigers were a little shell-shocked.

By half-time, the lead was out to 83; the Roos booting 18 first half goals in an outstanding display. 

Looking back now, trademark Carey was on show, even in his fourth game. His first goal resulted from a courageous mark running back into a pack, before brushing off an opponent and kicking truly from 40m. 

But it's another forward who stole the show. 

Remarkably, for much of the 1989 season, John Longmire was playing at full-back, and he was doing it well. The man known as 'Horse' kept Tony Lockett to just five kicks in one game.

Nevertheless, injuries saw him move forward again, late in '89. It's fair to say, he never again, looked back.  

As North ran away with the game in the third quarter, to lead by 110, then went on to record its biggest ever victory to that point - 141 points - Longmire was everywhere. 

12 goals, from 17 scoring shots, 18 marks, 22 kicks; not a bad stat-line! Oh ... we forgot the single handball too. 

By the final siren, North had its highest ever score, 209, while Richmond had its biggest ever loss. 

Despite Longmire's dominance, the Roos had 10 individual goal-kickers, among them Peter German with 5, Carey and John McCarthy with 3 and Rock, Darren Steele and Andrew Krakouer 2 apiece.

18,105 people were there to attend one of the more brilliant displays in the modern era, and while 30 years has past, North fans still remember the game fondly. 

"My dad and I were there. Simply brilliant as is what our club has done and will always do," one supporter, Bruce, remembered. 

"I was at this game and we kicked 13-3-81 in first quarter! Peter McKenna was already talking up the 'Duck' as best player in the competition within two-three years in this just his fifth game," another said. 

Of course, many of those 'emerging stars' went on to great things; six years on, North won its third premiership with six players from that 1990 team.

Sadly, Longmire missed the entire '96 season with a knee injury, but tasted premiership glory three years later in his final ever AFL game. 

Round 2, 1990 v Richmond

North Melbourne 32.17 (209)
Richmond 9.14 (68)

Goals: John Longmire 12, Peter German 5, Wayne Carey 3, John McCarthy 3, Andrew Krakouer 2, Anthony Rock 2, Darren Steele 2, Matthew Larkin 1, Liam Pickering 1, Wayne Schwass 1
Leading disposals: Anthony Rock 32, Peter German 27, Wayne Schwass 26, John Longmire 23, Dean McRae 21, Ben Buckley 19 
Brownlow Medal votes: John Longmire 3, Peter German 2, Anthony Rock 1