The 1996 AFL Grand Final

Saturday September 28
North Melbourne 19.17 (131) d Sydney 13.10 (88)

d

North Melbourne	3.2	8.7	12.14	19.17	(131)
Sydney		6.2	8.5	9.7	13.10	(88)

Goals
North Melbourne Freeborn 3, Crocker 3, Stevens 2, Roberts 2, Sholl 2, Allison 2, Rock, Fairley, Carey, Bell, Simpson
Sydney Lockett 6, O'Loughlin 2, Luff 2, Cresswell, Mooney, Kickett

Umpires: Dore, Sheehan, Nash
Crowd: 93,102
Norm Smith Medallist: Glenn Archer

North Melbourne 1996 Premiers North Melbourne won its third premiership by defeating Sydney in the Centenary Grand Final. Glenn Archer won the Norm Smith Medal for best player. It was the Kangaroos second premiership of the day - earlier the reserves won by over 100 points. The double of winning both Seniors and Reserves is the first since Carlton did so in 1987.

First Quarter

Corey McKernan did not start in the first ruck, highlighting the seriousness of his knee injury. (McKernan later revealed after the game that he sustained cartilage damage last week.) Instead, Capuano started in the ruck. The teams lined up as selected, and, after a ferocious opening, Sydney settled best, and kicked its first 3 goals from free kicks. Capuano was seen limping during the quarter, leaving North Melbourne without a fit ruckman. Sydney was completely dominating the play, and had an 18 point lead at quarter time. North was very flat - not winning midfield possesion, and could not penetrate the forward line enough.

Lockett seemed fit enough for Sydney, kicking 3 goals. McKernan couldn't time his centre-bounce leaps, and his knee injury was restricting his movement. Luff was playing all over Schwass, and had 2 goals at quarter time, forcing Pagan to move Archer onto Luff. Up forward, North had Crocker, Sholl and Carey - but all played too far away from goal, often leaving Sydney with more defenders in the last line of defence.

Goals:
S - Lockett (3 minutes)
N - Crocker (6)
S - Cresswell (10)
N - Allison (18)
S - Luff (20)
N - Stevens (22)
S - Luff (23)
S - Lockett (26)
S - Lockett (29)

Second Quarter

After Mooney goaled for Sydney, North was 24 points down. Lockett almost took a mark close to goal, which would have made the difference over 5 goals. However, Freeborn's move to the forward line resulted in 2 immediate goals, and 3 in total for the quarter. North managed to outscore Sydney, and slowly reduce Sydney's lead. At half time North, amazingly, was 2 points in front, despite Sydney having played better in the first half. Carey was goalless, but was involved in just about every North Melbourne goal.

Goals:
S - Mooney (1)
N - Freeborn (9)
N - Freeborn (12)
S2-)
N - Crock> N - Crocker (24)
N - Allison (27)
N - Freeborn (28)

Third Quarter

The third quarter is called the "premiership quarter", and North Melbourne rose to the challenge. With Corey McKernan leading the charge from the middle, North completely dominated play for the quarter, but kicked 4 behinds before finding the goals after 10 minutes. Sholl, who had been quiet, found some open space in which to lead, and provided another option in the forward line. His two goals, along with a lucky Peter Bell goal left North a very handy 26 point lead. North kicked 4.7 for the quarter, to Sydney's 1.2, and looked to have the premiership just 30 minutes away.

Goals:
N - Sholl (10)
S - Lockett (13)
N - Sholl (16)
N - Bell (17)
N - Crocker (23)

Fourth Quarter

When Anthony Stevens slammed through the first goal of the quarter, North was home. Mark Roberts then sealed the match by putting North almost 40 points in front. Sydney refused to give up, kicking a credible 4 goals for the quarter, which was more than they could manage for the previous 2 quarters. When Roberts goaled again, after a steal in the backline, the players were just waiting for the siren. Carey kicked his only goal, to the crowd's delight, and fittingly, veteran Ian Fairley kicked the last goal of the match. It was probably Fairley's last game in football.

Goals:
N - Stevens (3)
N - Roberts (6)
S - Lockett (7)
S - O'Loughlin (9)
N - Rock (10)
N - Roberts (14)
N - Carey (16)
S - Kickett (18)
S - O'Loughlin (20)
N - Simpson (28)
N - Fairley (29)

The win gave North Melbourne its third premiership. The last premiership was in 1977, when North defeated Collingwood by 27 points. The "double" of winning both Seniors and Reserves capped off a great day in history for the North Melbourne Football Club.

The Media Reaction:

The Herald Sun:
Goal by Goal
Roos realise great expectations

The Age
Grand Final Photos
The 1996 Finals Series - Several Articles
Pagan looks to new era
Merger off Roo agenda
How North Melbourne built its premiership
Roo's flag a long time in the making
When loyalty counts
Big man turns it all around