Just a day before North Melbourne's battle with Brisbane at Etihad Stadium, it's interesting to note that the club’s only clash against the Lions Brisbane on May 26 resulted in a convincing loss.

Round 9, 1995

North Melbourne 4.4 (28), 8.5 (53), 9.5 (59), 12.7 (79)
Geelong 3.4 (22), 7.10 (52), 14.15 (99), 20.20 (140)

Goals: Carey (2), McKernan (2)
Brownlow Medal: 3 - Hickmott (GEE), 2 - Breuer (GEE), 1 - Ablett (GEE)

In what has proved a recurring theme on this date, the game was close at half-time. However, Geelong, the eventual runners-up blew the game out of the water after the main break. Without Mick Martyn in the side, Gary Ablett senior was allowed too much freedom and kicked seven goals.

Did You Know? The Geelong side on this day featured three former North Melbourne players - Tim McGrath, Brad Sholl and Leigh Tudor.

Round 9, 1990

Collingwood 6.6 (42), 11.11 (77), 15.15 (105), 26.20 (176)
North Melbourne 3.2 (20), 7.8 (50), 11.10 (76), 14.12 (96)

Goals: Allison (4), Longmire (4), McDonald (2)
Brownlow Medal: 3 - McGuane (COL), 2 - Brown (COL), 1 - Daicos (COL)

Collingwood was in the middle of a year that see it win its first premiership since 1958. On this day Damian Monkhorst was dominant over the North Melbourne ruck division to give the Magpies’ midfield first use. He finished with 35 hit-outs.

A North Melbourne side with an average age of just 22 years and 68 days was unable to stop its opponent’s onslaught. However, it also served as a turning point in the season, as the Kangaroos only lost three more games in the remaining 13 rounds.

Did You Know? At this time in history, North Melbourne had only won a single match at Victoria Park since 1979. The Kangaroos would not win another game there until 1993. Coincidentally that was the last game North played at the venue.

Round 9, 1989

North Melbourne 6.3 (39), 11.4 (70), 16.9 (105), 25.15 (165)
Brisbane 2.2 (14), 4.7 (31), 6.10 (46), 10.11 (71)

Goals: McCarthy (5), Bryce (4), German (3), Kickett (3), P Krakouer (2), Schwass (2)
Brownlow Medal: 3 - Allison (NM), 2 - Bryce (NM), 1 - Schwass (NM)

The first North Melbourne-Brisbane match of 1989 turned out to be one half of the biggest form reversal ever seen between two opponents. Despite a 94 point victory in this match to the Kangaroos, just nine rounds later Brisbane turned the tables with an 83-point win. That's a 177 point turnaround.

Did You Know? Tim McGrath made his debut for North Melbourne in this match, becoming the 800th Shinboner. He played just seven games in the royal blue and white before moving to Geelong, where he played another 219 matches.

Round 9, 1984

Hawthorn 5.5 (35), 11.8 (74), 14.10 (94), 21.17 (143)
North Melbourne 5.2 (32), 7.6 (48), 13.7 (85), 13.8 (86)

Goals: Glendinning (6), Bryant (3), McDonald (2)
Brownlow Medal: 3 - Byrne (HAW), 2 - Hodgeman (NM), 1 - Eade (HAW)

At the final change it appeared North Melbourne was on its way to breaking a run of defeats. A six-goal third quarter from the Kangaroos narrowed the margin to just nine points. But Hawthorn, ladder leaders, found another gear and condemned North Melbourne to a 57-point loss.

Did You Know? This loss was part of an 11 game losing streak - North’s longest run of defeats in its history.

Round 8, 1979

North Melbourne 2.4 (16), 9.7 (61), 10.9 (69), 13.16 (94)
Fitzroy 4.7 (31), 5.10 (40), 13.20 (98), 21.22 (148)

Goals: Cornes (3), Ebert (2), Good (2), Sutton (2)

Heading into its clash with Fitzroy, North Melbourne was undefeated for the season after a thrilling four point win the previous week against second-placed Carlton. It was the high of that win that took its toll on the Kangaroos in the second half as they stopped to a walk.

Fitzroy slammed on an incredible 16 goals, amassing 18 scoring shots in the third quarter alone. It led to a drop in form for North Melbourne. Including this match, the Kangaroos lost four out of their next six games to slide down the ladder.

Round 8, 1973

North Melbourne 1.2 (8), 3.7 (25), 6.7 (43), 8.8 (56)
Footscray 3.3 (21), 6.5 (41), 7.8 (50), 8.8 (56)

Goals: Wade (3)

Throughout the day at Arden St, it appeared that no matter what North Melbourne tried, Footscray had the answer. The team from Arden Street fruitlessly battled from behind all day until a last quarter surge enabled them to grab two points, with the scores locked at 56 when the final siren sounded.

Round 6, 1962

North Melbourne 0.3 (3), 3.8 (26), 5.10 (40), 6.14 (50)
Geelong 7.6 (48), 10.8 (68), 14.12 (96), 19.15 (129)

Goals: Aylett (2), Jenkins (2)

It was a classic battle of David v Goliath as the winless North Melbourne faced a Geelong side that would eventually finish second on the ladder. Unsurprisingly, the game was all over at quarter-time and Geelong eventually won by 79-points.

Round 7, 1956

North Melbourne 5.2 (32), 9.4 (58), 10.4 (64), 15.7 (97)
South Melbourne 3.4 (22), 5.6 (36), 6.11 (47), 7.16 (58)

Goals: Spencer (5), Templar (2)

North Melbourne was the winner on this day by more than six goals, despite having one less scoring shot than South Melbourne. It was the third quarter that decided the game; South Melbourne's six scoring shots yielded just 1.5 while North Melbourne's one attempt resulted in a goal.

Round 6, 1945

North Melbourne 3.3 (21), 6.5 (41), 7.7 (49), 9.12 (66)
South Melbourne 1.3 (9), 2.5 (17), 6.8 (44), 8.10 (58)

Goals: Jarrad (3), Slater (2)

North Melbourne started out strongly in the first half before a flat third quarter allowed South Melbourne back into the game. It was fifth-gamer Ted Jarrard that carried the Kangaroos late, an eight-point win at Arden St was North’s fourth for the season.

Round 4 1934

St Kilda 3.3 (21), 7.11 (53), 10.13 (73), 14.18 (102)
North Melbourne 2.7 (19), 4.13 (37), 6.18 (54), 10.20 (80)

Goals: Fitzmaurice (6), Huggins (2)

In a winless season, inaccuracy cost North Melbourne once again in this game. Seven behinds in the first quarter proved fatal for the Kangaroos’ chances of their first victory of the season. Despite six goals from 35-year-old Tom Fitzmaurice, St Kilda were comfortable 22-point victors.

Round 6 1928

Collingwood 3.2 (20), 7.6 (48), 9.8 (62), 12.12 (84)
North Melbourne 2.1 (13), 3.3 (21), 4.5 (29), 6.9 (45)

Goals: Kavanagh (3)

North Melbourne faced a Collingwood side in the middle of a run of four successive premierships, and it was widely expected that the Magpies would have a comprehensive victory. But faced with the intimidating aura of Victoria Park, North Melbourne acquitted itself well and stayed in the contest for an honourable loss.