Every Wednesday, until footy returns, we'll be heading into the archive to recap some of the great games throughout North Melbourne's rich history.

This week, we take you back to 2001, and a clash against Geelong at Kardinia Park.

North Melbourne's Round 4, 2001 clash against the Cats was its first at the venue in almost seven years.

At the time, Geelong didn't quite boast the enviable home record it did a little later down the track, but after nine wins in its previous 10 games at Kardinia Park, the Cats looked a tough assignment.

North went in facing one of its most challenging battles in many years; three straight defeats to start the season saw Denis Pagan's team at the bottom of the ladder, with an averaging losing margin of 75 points. 

Mark Thompson's Geelong side sat fourth, with two wins from three games, and as the rain pelted down, it looked like it could be an ugly day for the travelling team.

20 years ago, the drainage in ovals wasn't quite the same; the Sherrin very quickly became waterlogged, while the sight of players sliding across the turf became pretty common. 

Even the locals decided to stay away from this one, with the Cats' smallest crowd for over ten years turning out.

But somehow, in horrible conditions, North managed to boot five first quarter goals, and get the ball rolling.

Check out all the highlights below, thanks to Canterbury.