North Melbourne’s 98-point win over Fremantle was made even more memorable for Kevin McGraw after he left the ground as the proud owner of a brand new Mazda Maxx Sport Hatch valued at almost $30,000.

The retired school principal and nine other members gathered on the boundary at Etihad Stadium at half time to try their luck at unlocking the Mazda.

But even with the lucky key, McGraw surprisingly didn’t have any success opening the car.

“I turned the key to the right and to the left and nothing happened. Sam Wright who was sitting in the car at the time smiled at me but I just couldn’t get it open the first time,” McGraw told kangaroos.com.au.

Predictably, the nine other members were also unsuccessful and it prompted North staff to ask them all to try again.

“I don’t know what I did wrong initially but the second time around it opened straight away. Maybe the nerves and my age had something to do with it,” McGraw joked.

A North Melbourne supporter since the 1970's and member since 2000, 67 year-old McGraw was shocked to win the Mazda and was extremely grateful to receive the prize just for watching his beloved Kangaroos.

“The only thing I’ve ever won before is maybe a chook raffle at the pub. I was aware of the Mazda competition but it certainly wasn’t my reason for going to the footy.

“Since retirement I’ve been able to get to more matches, I travel down from Shepparton for all the Melbourne games and sometimes I travel to the interstate games as well.”

After all the excitement of winning the car, McGraw said the rest of Saturday’s game was a bit of a blur.

“It was all very surreal…I can’t remember much else after quarter time.

“Now I’m looking forward to the big game against St Kilda and my wife Kerry is looking forward to upgrading from her 2005 Honda Civic to a brand new Mazda.”

It was the second car in as many years the club has given away as recognition to its members for their loyal support.