Can't view the video? Watch on YouTube

It was second versus seventh in the First Qualifying Final in 1996, but Geelong could have had a mental edge over its highly fancied North opponent having beaten it a fortnight ago. That match, ultimately cost the Kangaroos top spot.

Nearly 70,000 fans packed the MCG on a Sunday afternoon as North hoped to continue its quest for premiership glory for the first time since 1977.

The star-studded sides included names like Archer, Blakey, Carey, Schwass and Stevens while the Cats’ had Ablett, Couch and Hocking who were desperate for success after the pain of another Grand Final defeat the previous year.

Mick Martyn manned Gary Ablett, while down the other end, Tim McGrath had the job on Wayne Carey in what loomed as a battle of forward brilliance, yet didn’t quite pan out that way.

Ironically, it was two current assistant coaches, Darren Crocker and Brett Allison who combined for North’s first goal.

PRESS PLAY above to watch highlights | YouTube

Grant Tanner was quick to reply for Geelong, but Carey’s trademark style hit back with a beauty from long range.

22-year old Corey McKernan proved instrumental in the opening term with several strong marks, while the courage of Robert Scott and Craig Sholl in a marking contest midway through the term set the tone for what would be a long day for the Cats. North led by 27-points at the first break.

Archer was unrelenting and his second quarter hit on Michael Mansfield showed his willingness to get the ball, regardless of the consequences.

Allison kicked his second, and third and it looked as though the Kangaroos had the momentum, but the Cats fought back through Garry Hocking as Stuart Anderson limped from the field in the arms of the trainers.

22-points separated the teams at the half and the game was still in the balance as the hard hits continued. But North quickly regained the ascendency with some brilliance from Anthony Stevens and Carey, while another goal to Allison stretched the lead.

The rain tumbled down as the Kangaroos started to dominate, and the conditions were tailor-made for Allison who slotted his fifth after some terrific roving. Soon after it was six and the match was all but over in a matter of minutes.

When Scott dribbled one through from 40 metres, the lead was 53-points and the final quarter was about preservation for the Preliminary Final.

North booted five goals to three in the final and Allison’s seventh, a soccer off the ground, was the icing on a memorable day for the small forward.

He left the field with only a minute to play clutching his knee, but was right to play in the Preliminary Final two weeks later.

The Kangaroos went on to win by 60, and just three weeks later on that one day in September, they claimed their third premiership in emphatic style against Sydney.

North Melbourne 19.17 (131) defeated Geelong 9.17 (71)
Major goal-kickers: Brett Allison 7, Wayne Carey 3, Robert Scott 2
Leading disposals: Brett Allison 24, Wayne Carey 23, Corey McKernan 23, Anthony Rock 19