In retrospect the 1998 season was one that went almost perfectly, until the final 60 minutes.
The team started by winning the Ansett Cup Premiership, got through most of the year without the injury worries of the previous season, and finishing on top of the ladder. In doing so the club set a record number of consecutive wins. Wayne Carey lead the club, with a brilliant second half of the season. His performances left little doubt into who owned the status of the best player in the league.
The club made an experimental detour to Canberra, playing a home match there. Winston Abraham left the locals stunned after he took Mark of the Year during the game.
To cap off the season, four several players were selected in All Australian Team, and Carey was named captain of Australia. He was also awarded the AFL Players Association MVP Award. Byron Pickett picked up the rookie of the year award, after playing just one game previously.
So many records and awards came to nought though - when in the Grand Final the team could manage only two goals in the second half. The year delivered so much... yet failed to deliver the ultimate.
The Players
The biggest news was the departure of popular vice-capain Wayne Schwass, in a deal that landed Shannon Grant at the club. Grant was a valuable addition - finishing with deadly accuracy in front of goal (46 goals). However his consistancy still needs to be improved.The backline was again very solid - Mick Martyn brilliant at full back. Unlucky not to be named All-Australian full-back, Martyn had less than 30 goals kicked on him all season. He was well supported by All-Australians King and Archer. North traded Mark Stevens for Jason McCartney and McCartney became a regular at centre-half-back. His attack on the football, particularly in marking contests was good, but he bore the brunt of most supporters frustrations. McCartney performance was fair - but let the team down by getting suspended for 3 matches mid season.
The backline developed a lot more pace and transition to the midfield with David King playing more as a defensive wingman. Byron Pickett's improvement was superb - playing every game and winning the Norwich Rising Star. His toughness at the ball and opponents, and his uncanny balance made a mockery of his inexperience. He largely replaced Schwass' role in the backline.
What more needs to be said about Wayne Carey? He was simply devastating, proving he had fully recovered from a shoulder reconstruction. Carey played all of 1997 without being able to fully extend his shoulder, and his performance suffered. Carey rated his season as his best since 1993, but still felt that 1993 was better. He won the AFLPA MVP, the All Australian captaincy, and finally brought consensus between the experts over who the number 1 footballer in the country was.
The midfield of Stevens and Bell were again excellent. To summarise them in two words: Consistancy & Toughness. Both were very hard at the ball, and their toughness won many close games for the team. They racked up possessions - Stevens had the most kicks, handball receives, tackles, and second most hardball and looseball gets - Bell had the most handballs, third most kicks, most hardball gets and most looseball gets. Both will poll well in the Club Best and Fairest.
Abraham provided plenty of excitement, whether it was flying for high marks, or kicking freakish goals. His pace added to North's gameplan. Flashes of brilliance were offset with inconsistancy.
The regular group of Scott, Blakey and Pike were all above average, and automatic team selections. Chandler was unlucky to miss the Grand Final. He and Freeborn were never consistant enough during the season. Roberts finally recovered from injury by mid season, and played most games, helping to support the struggling ruckmen, and providing penetration off the wing.
Improvers Apart from Pickett, the other big improver was Adam Simpson. Simpson had already played every game in 1996, but slipped in 1997. His performances in the second half of the season were very good. He won plenty of possession while blanketing out his opponents. The club will look for him to step up and become a team leader next season. Brent Harvey also had a few great games, and improved markedly on his past form. He kicked a few bags of goals, and was able to use his speed to good effect. DisappointmentsThe year was disappointing for many players. Anthony Rock was the biggest name to suffer. Rock was looking for a fresh start at another club at the end of the season, but no deal was done. Craig Sholl also declined, and spent a lot of time on the bench. In 1996 he reinvented himself as a forward, but he kicked too few goals in 1998. The ruckmen also failed to put it together - McKernan never getting fully fit, and suffering from a lack of confidence, and doubts still remain over Capuano. Allison and Longmire were troubled by injuries, and missed several games. Longmire's role was reduced to bit player, and he missed his second grand final after failing to secure a spot all season.
New Talent
Hewitt showed glimpses of good form, and could develop into a key position player/relief ruckman in the future. He is the most promising youngster on the list. Scott Welsh played a few games, showing he has a great leap. It will be interesting to see where he can fit into the team though - he had a rather undefined role this season. Brady Anderson was average, and seemed to struggle with the pace of the AFL. Look for Cameron Mooney to debut next season.
The Future
North was badly exposed for lack of pace in the midfield by Adelaide during the Grand Final. Bell, Stevens, Simpson and Grant played on the ball - but none are fast. The fast players at the club such as Harvey, Allison and Abraham play more as forwards than genuine midfielders. North failed to trade with any clubs; admittedly there was not as much on offer this season. The draft will see North still chasing pacy midfielders and a centre-half-back. North has been after both for years.
In my opinion, some players on the list are simply making up numbers, and have to go to make room for youth. Groom, Mellington and Houlihan are obvious examples. Poor form and age left Sholl, Longmire and Rock as vulnerable to being traded, but they survived. Crocker retired; Roberts and Blakey have only a few seasons left.
Kirzner (on the rookie list) was extremely unlucky to injure his knee, after good performances in the reserves. He even played a few senior games in 1997, before being listed as a rookie. The club may have to let him go, unless he is placed on the injured list. Dion Miles also injured his knee late in the season. With lists being cut to 40 in 1999, it is difficult for clubs to keep injured players listed.
Although the team finished on top of the ladder, there are areas which need improvement. The ruckmen were only average. McKernan polled the equa most votes in the 1996 Brownlow - that form was missing for all but a few games. He had an interrupted preseason, and never had his timing right all season. A good preseason will help his confidence. Capuano needs to step up. North also struggled against the quick small forward, and in a few games were exposed for lack of height in the backline.
It is difficult to see 1999 delivering as many highlights as 1998. The club made the preliminary final for the 5th time in succession (lost 94, 95, 97, won 96, 98) and has been the most consistant team over the 5 years. But only one premiership and two night premierships have been won. Compared to Adelaide's back to back flags North has not made the most of opportunities.
The evenness of the competition, and the draft system work in favour of teams near the bottom of the ladder. I doubt North can sustain the run of 5 preliminary finals, and may be relegated to a low finish in the eight next season.