It was a warm reception for North Melbourne in Hobart, but not just for players and Kangaroos' staff. In an AFL, North Melbourne and Tasmania Government joint initiative, Premier Lara Giddings handed out special royal blue and white blankets to ensure the fan experience was a cosy one on Sunday.

As a special gift to fans for supporting the historic day, Giddings walked the aisles and gave away almost a hundred North Melbourne polar fleece blankets.

“The Kangaroos’ first game in front of a bumper crowd at Bellerive was a great way to start the club’s partnership with Hobart,” Giddings said.

With the inclement weather closing in on Blundstone Area at times throughout the afternoon, those lucky enough to receive a blanket in the second quarter would no doubt have been the envy of all those around them.