Almanac Footy: Close to a perfect season – North Melbourne Football Club’s outstanding 1998

 

Close to a perfect season:  North Melbourne Football Club’s outstanding 1998 by Philip Mendes

 

In an earlier article, I reflected on my experience of transitioning from following the departed Fitzroy Lions to the North Melbourne Kangaroos in 1997.[1] After supporting Fitzroy for 27 years from the age of five till 32, it sometimes felt a bit strange yelling ‘Go Roos’ in 1997. But the awkwardness vanished in 1998, and I felt totally connected to the high achieving Roo Boys who contested their sixth finals series in a row.

 

In the pre-season, North were rated the premiership favourite by The Age, and this prediction almost proved spot on.[2] It was an exciting season for Roo supporters as North were a great team to watch. They played an aggressive long kicking style, and often came from way behind to win matches. Carey was the standout champion, but Stevens, Archer, King, Grant and McKernan also starred, and Abraham and Pickett emerged as entertaining surprise packets.

 

Nevertheless, we struggled for consistency in the first 13 rounds, winning seven and losing six to sit in a perilous 7^th place on the ladder. And then coach Dennis Pagan used a stroke of brilliance to implement his ‘Pagan’s Paddock’ strategy similar to the old Peter Hudson plan at Hawthorn, whereby all the other North forwards cleared the space to allow the King Wayne Carey to patrol the forward line almost single-handedly.[3] North won the last nine games of the season to head the home and away ladder, and then two finals to become hot favourites for the Grand Final. They dominated the first half of the GF with 21 shots to seven to lead comfortably by 24 points at half time. But it should have been a lot more, and a brilliant Adelaide led by the brilliance of Andrew McLeod and Darren Jarman pegged them back, and then surged away in the final quarter.

 

Despite the disappointing finish, it remained a season of many achievements. Major team successes included the Ansett Cup Night Series Premiership, the Minor Round premiership, and 11 consecutive victories. There were also numerous major individual achievements. North captain Wayne Carey won his fourth Syd Barker Medal and the AFL Players Association Most Valuable Player, was named All Australian Captain, finished equal sixth in the Brownlow Medal with 20 votes, and second in the goal kicking tally behind Tony Lockett. Three other North players Anthony Stevens, Glenn Archer and David King also made the all-Australian team, and North shared with Adelaide the highest representation of four players. Additionally, Winston Abraham won Mark of the Year for his huge grab against Port Adelaide in Round 18, and Byron Pickett won the Norwich Rising Star Award.[4] Experienced recruits Winston Abraham, Jason McCartney and Shannon Grant (acquired in a win-win transfer for North great Wayne Schwass) proved to be major gains.

 

 

Night Series Grand Final

 

North clashed with premiership favourite St Kilda before nearly 64,000 fans at Waverley Park.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 4.2, 6.6, 9.7, 14.13 (97)

St Kilda                3.4, 9.8, 11.11, 12.11 (83)

 

The Roos trailed by 34 points in the third quarter, and looked gone. But a stunning last quarter comeback including four magic goals by Wayne Carey sealed the night premiership. Carey won the Michael Tuck medal for best afield. His last quarter highlights included a 60 metre torpedo goal from a set shot, a courageous mark running with the flight of the ball that also resulted in a goal, and a smart handball over the top to Shannon Grant that sealed the game. [5]

 

Best players: Carey (27 disposals and nine marks), Abraham, Anthony Stevens (hereafter just Stevens), Bell, Pike, Archer, Grant.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Carey 5, Abraham 3, Blakey 2, Grant 2.

 

 

 

Round One: 27 March 1998

 

North tackled West Coast in front of 27,000 fans at the MCG.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 4.4, 9.7, 11.10, 15.13 (103)

West Coast          2.4, 7.7, 13.10, 15.11 (101)

 

After trailing by 15 points mid-way through the final quarter, North snatched a lucky last minute victory through a bouncing left foot snap by Adam Simpson. Craig Sholl was outstanding at both ends of the ground.[6]

 

 

Best players: Stevens, Archer, Bell, Sholl, Pike, King, Carey, Blakey.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Sholl 5, Grant 2.

 

 

 

Round Two: 4 April 1998

 

North took on the home side 14^th placed Melbourne in front of nearly 30,000 fans at the MCG.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 1.4, 4.5, 11.8, 15.10 (100)

Melbourne           5.2, 11.4, 14.8, 19.11 (125)

 

A lethargic North came from 43 points down half way through the third quarter to close to within one point of the Demons in the last quarter, but were unable to complete the turnaround. A frustrating afternoon.[7]

 

Best players: Pickett, Bell, Carey, Blakey, Stevens, Abraham, Hewitt.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Abraham 3, Carey 3, Hewitt 2.

 

 

 

Round Three: 11 April 1998

 

North travelled to Adelaide to tackle 6^th placed Port Adelaide before 28,000 fans.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 7.1, 11.3, 13.7, 15.8 (98)

Port Adelaide      1.1, 2.5, 5.8, 10.9 (69)

 

An easy victory lifted North to 4^th on the ladder.

 

Best players: Harvey, Bell, Pickett, Abraham, Scott, Martyn.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Harvey 5, Abraham 4, Blakey 2, Sholl 2.

 

 

 

Round Four: 19 April 1998

 

North took on bottom team Brisbane before nearly 23,000 fans at the MCG.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 7.2, 10.4, 15.9, 21.11 (137)

Brisbane              3.4, 8.9, 11.12, 17.18 (120)

 

An all the way victory took North to 3rd on the ladder.

 

Best players: Carey, Grant, Rock, Archer, McKernan, Pike.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: McKernan 5, Harvey 4, Grant 3, Hewitt 2.

 

 

 

Round Five: 25 April 1998

 

North travelled to Perth to play 11^th placed Fremantle in front of a crowd of 26,000.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 2.2, 4.9, 8.13, 12.15 (87)

Fremantle             3.4, 9.6, 12.7, 16.8 (104)

 

An unexpected loss saw North slip to 6th on the ladder.

 

Best players: Scott, Grant, Blakey, Stevens, McCartney, Hewitt.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Sholl 3, Grant 2, Hewitt 2, Abraham 2.

 

 

 

Round Six: 3 May 1998

 

North clashed with the reigning premier 9^th placed Adelaide in front of 23,000 fans at the MCG.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 7.4, 9.5, 12.10, 15.16 (106)

Adelaide              2.3, 7.9, 15.10, 15.12 (102)

 

This was a classic Sunday afternoon battle between the last two AFL premiers. After a slow start, Adelaide were brilliant in the two middle quarters, and seemed likely to win. But North had a bit of luck with umpiring decisions in the final quarter. With about a minute left, Adelaide ruckman Shaun Rehn running close to the boundary ducked into a brutal front-on tackle by Evan Hewitt. Hewitt was controversially paid holding the ball, and squared the ball to Peter Bell who goaled to give North back the lead with 43 seconds remaining. The usual reliables Carey (described as ‘unstoppable’ in the last quarter by Channel Seven commentator Dennis Cometti), Stevens, Archer, Bell and Blakey were crucial in that final stanza. Other highlights included a tight snap by McKernan, a long 55 metre goal by Sholl, McKernan running with the flight of the ball to mark in defence, and some great defensive interceptions and tackles by young Byron Pickett who would eventually win the Norwich Rising Star award for 1998.^[8]

 

I was so pumped at the siren from the exciting finale that I sprinted helter skelter from my seat (hi-fiving North fans along the path) all the way to my wheels in the MCG car park.  The victory stabilized North in 6^th place on the ladder.

 

Best players: Carey (12 marks), Grant, Pickett, Stevens, Martyn, Archer, Blakey, McKernan.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Sholl 3, Grant 2, Abraham 2, Hewitt 2.

 

 

 

Round Seven: 10 May 1998

 

North challenged the 2^nd placed Western Bulldogs in front of 22,000 fans at the neutral Optus Oval.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 4.0, 5.3, 10.7, 12.11 (83)

Western Bulldogs          2.3, 6.8, 8.13, 16.15 (111)

 

This loss to the form team of the competition saw North drop to 7th on the ladder. The Dogs were impressive, and seemed at this stage to pose the biggest obstacle to a North flag.

 

Best players: Grant, Archer, Martyn, King, Bell, Carey.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Carey 4, Abraham 2, McKernan 2.

 

 

 

Round 8: 16 May 1998

 

North took on top of the ladder Sydney in front of 43,000 at the MCG.

 

 

 

North Melbourne 5.5, 6.7, 11.12, 15.15 (105)

Sydney Swans     2.3, 8.7, 11.8, 14.11 (95)

 

This victory in a finals-like atmosphere at a rocking MCG enabled North to rise to 5^th on the ladder. Sydney dominated the second quarter, but North came back in a pulsating second half. Archer and Martyn combined brilliantly in defence to hold Tony Lockett to one goal, and Carey shrugged off Dunkley to kick three majors in the second half including a 60 metre long bomb to seal the game.[9]

 

Best players: Archer (10 marks best on ground), King, Stevens, Carey, Martyn, Blakey, Grant.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Carey 4, Blakey 3.

 

 

 

Round 9: 23 May 1998

 

North took on bottom of the ladder Carlton in front of 20,000 fans at Optus Park.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 2.2, 7.7, 10.9, 17.13 (115)

Carlton                0.5, 3.7, 6.13, 10.14 (74)

 

This victory propelled North to 3rd on the ladder.

 

Best players: King, Longmire, Rock, Bell, Abraham, Stevens.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Longmire 4, Abraham 3, Bell 3, Harvey 2, Danny Stevens 2.

Round 10: 31 May 1998

 

North took on struggling 12^th placed Geelong at the MCG in front of 35,000 fans.

 

 

 

North Melbourne 3.0, 5.2, 9.8, 13.13 (99)

Geelong               4.2, 9.5, 12.9, 17.12 (114)

 

An unexpected loss dropped North to 4^th on the ladder.

 

Best players: Carey, Harvey, Sholl, King, Archer, Stevens.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Carey 4, Sholl 2, Harvey 2,

 

 

 

Round 11: 8 June 1998

 

North tackled 11^th placed Collingwood in front of 58,000 at the MCG.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 2.2, 10.4, 15.7, 19.12 (126)

Collingwood        4.6, 7.10, 10.13, 13.19 (97)

 

North started slowly again, but turned it around in the second quarter which included a magnificent running goal, and later high mark and second goal, by Winston Abraham. Carey ended Collingwood’s hopes with three crunch goals late in the third quarter. The victory kept North 4^th on the ladder.[10]

 

Best players: Carey, Abraham, King, Archer, Harvey, Stevens.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Carey 4, Harvey 3, Sholl 2, Grant 2, Abraham 2, Crocker 2.

 

 

 

Round 12: 14 June 1998

 

North challenged 8^th placed Richmond in front of 43,000 fans at the MCG.

 

North Melbourne 2.3, 4.5, 9.6, 14.8 (92)

Richmond            4.3, 8.6, 14.9, 19.13 (127)

 

This disappointing loss pushed North down to 7th on the ladder.

 

Best players: Harvey, Grant, Blakey, Longmire.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Carey 3, Grant 2, Hewitt 2, Longmire 2, Abraham 2.

 

 

 

Round 13: 20 June 1998

 

North took on bottom side Hawthorn before 23,000 fans at Waverley Park.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 4.2, 8.3, 14.7, 17.10 (112)

Hawthorn            2.2, 7.8, 13.9, 17.12 (114)

 

A second successive loss to a lower ranked side left North at 7^th on the ladder.

 

Best players: Stevens, Archer, McKernan, Roberts, Carey, Bell.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Carey 4, McKernan 4, Roberts 3, Abraham 2, Bell 2.

 

 

 

 

Round 14: 26 June 1998

 

North took on traditional rival 11^th placed Essendon before 48,000 fans at the MCG.

 

North Melbourne 5.4, 12.5, 16.7, 19.13 (127)

Essendon             4.0, 8.6, 11.10, 16.13 (109)

 

This timely win lifted North to 6^th on the ladder.

 

Best players: Archer, King, Harvey, Stevens, Grant, Blakey.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Harvey 5, Grant 2, Abraham 2, McKernan 2.

 

 

Round 15: 3 July 1998

 

North clashed with top of the ladder St Kilda before 36,000 fans at Waverley Park.

 

 

 

North Melbourne 5.3, 10.7, 16.9, 22.13 (145)

St Kilda               4.1, 7.2, 9.4, 12.7 (79)

 

North dominated the midfield against the Saints, and also perfectly executed ‘Pagan’s Paddock’ strategy which enabled Carey to star with 27 disposals, 14 marks and six goals. His sidekick Winston Abraham was brilliant early with four of North’s first five goals, and McKernan returned to form with a strong ruck performance and three goals in the second half. Despite the big win, North remained 6^th on the ladder.[11]

 

Best players: Carey, King, Martyn, Archer, Abraham, Grant, McKernan, Simpson, Bell.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Carey 6, Abraham 5, Grant 3, McKernan 3.

 

 

 

Round 16: 19 July 1998

 

North travelled to Perth to take on the 5^th placed Eagles in front of 36,000 fans.

 

North Melbourne 3.2, 9.8, 11.12, 13.16 (94)

West Coast          4.4, 6.6, 9.10, 11.14 (80)

 

A crucial away victory lifted North to 3^rd on the ladder.

 

Best players: Carey, King, Rock, Pike, Scott, Pickett.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Carey 5, Abraham 2, Rock 2.

 

 

 

Round 17: 25 July 1998

 

North took on 8^th placed Melbourne in front of 36,000 fans at the MCG.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 5.4, 9.8, 12.14, 22.20 (152)

Melbourne           2.4, 7.6, 11.7, 13.9 (87

 

Carey was incredible again with 24 disposals, 12 marks and eight goals. David King dominated the last quarter with 10 possessions including a crucial long goal on the run. Byron Pickett was ferocious off half back. This fourth win in a row reversed the earlier Round 2 loss to Melbourne and kept North 3^rd on the ladder.[12]

 

Best players: Carey, King, Grant, Stevens, Harvey, Blakey, Pike.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Carey 8, Grant 5, King 2.

 

 

Round 18: 1 August 1998

 

North took on 10^th placed Port Adelaide in front of a crowd of 12,000 at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 2.3, 9.11, 12.15, 18.23 (131)

Port Adelaide      3.5, 4.8, 8.13, 10.16 (76)

 

An easy fifth win in a row lifted North to 2^nd on the ladder. Mark ‘the fridge’ Roberts dominated at half forward with 30 disposals, 10 marks and three goals. Robert Scott was also excellent in the back pocket, whilst Winston Abraham soared high on the shoulders of Port defender Brendon Lade to take the mark of the year.[13]

 

Best players: Roberts, Abraham, Grant, Blakey, Scott.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Roberts 3, Abraham 3, Allison 2, Freeborn 2, Grant 2, Hewitt 2.

 

 

 

Round 19: 7 August 1998

 

North clashed with 2^nd bottom home side Brisbane before nearly 15,000 fans at the Gabba.

 

North Melbourne 4.3, 8.11, 11.21, 15.23 (113)

Brisbane              3.1, 4.6, 8.8, 12.14 (86)

 

A comfortable win kept North 2^nd on the ladder.

 

Best players: Stevens, McKernan, Abraham, King, McCartney, Carey.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Carey 3, Grant 3, Freeborn 2, Roberts 2, Sholl 2.

 

 

 

Round 20: 14 August 1998

 

North took on 13^th placed Fremantle before 19,000 fans at the MCG.

 

North Melbourne 2.5, 7.12, 14.17, 22.19 (151)

Fremantle             2.2, 5.3, 7.4, 7.5 (47)

 

Carey up forward, Adam Simpson in the midfield and half back David King dominated. An easy victory lifted North to top of the ladder.[14]

 

Best players: Carey (25 disposals), King, Simpson, Pike, Rock, McKernan, Pickett.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Carey 8, Rock 4, Grant 3.

 

 

 

Round 21: 22 August 1998

 

North travelled to Adelaide to challenge the 4^th placed Crows before 43,000 fans at Football Park.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 6.9, 8.12, 9.16, 14.21 (105)

Adelaide              4.3, 5.5, 9.10, 13.14 (92)

 

North led comfortably by 19 points early in the last quarter, but Adelaide cut the lead to two points before midfielder Peter Bell sealed the game. Bell and Blakey were outstanding, but Carey’s five goals proved the difference. This eighth win in a row kept North top of the ladder.[15]

 

Best players: Carey, King, Bell, McKernan, Stevens, Blakey.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Carey 5, McKernan 2, King 2.

 

 

Round 22: 28 August 1998

 

North tackled 2^nd side Western Bulldogs who trailed North by only 0.3 per centage (both teams sitting on 60 points) before a large crowd of 68,000 at the MCG.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 2.3, 5.4, 10.8, 17.11 (113)

Western Bulldogs 4.6, 8.8, 11.10, 16.12 (108)

 

North trailed for most of the night, but won their ninth game in a row in a thrilling finish to clinch the minor premiership. The lead changed five times in the final quarter, and the scores were tied three times. Many pundits rated it the game of the season, and even the best match of the 1990s.[16]

 

Best players: Carey, Stevens, Archer, Pike, Blakey, Simpson, Pickett.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Carey 4, Harvey 3, McKernan 2.

 

North won the minor premiership with 16 wins and 64 points.

 

 

 

FINALS FOOTBALL

 

Qualifying Final: 4 September 1998

 

North played 8^th side Essendon in front of 71,000 fans at the MCG.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 1.1, 2.7, 8.12, 11.16 (82)

Essendon              2.4, 3.6, 5.11, 8.12 (60)

 

North were highly favoured to win given they had finished four wins and seven spots ahead of Essendon. But sitting with a group of mostly neutral friends in the MCC Members, I was highly nervous before the game given the potential tricks that the Essendon master coach Kevin Sheedy might spring. And not without reason. Essendon dominated the opening quarter in pouring rain, and North didn’t gain their first Inside 50 until the 15 minute mark. Carey turned the game in the third quarter with two goals of his own and two direct assists. But after North led by 26 points early in the last stanza, the Bombers came again as the rain stopped, and edged within seven points. But in the end, Carey’s 24 disposals and five goals enabled North to prevail and go straight through to the Preliminary Final.[17]

 

Best players: Bell, Simpson, Stevens, Carey, Archer, Grant.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Carey 5, Grant 2.

 

 

 

Preliminary Final: 18 September 1998

 

North took on Melbourne before nearly 74,000 fans at the MCG.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 4.1, 8.4, 13.8, 17.12 (114)

Melbourne           3.6, 6.8, 9.11, 12.12. (84)

 

Despite the loud noise from the partisan pro-Melbourne MCC members, I was always confident we had this game in hand. Still, Melbourne started with a rush as Jeff Farmer took a huge screamer, but he and two team mates missed easy early shots, and North steadied through goals to Carey and Grant. McKernan was excellent in the ruck, and Blakey and Stevens very influential. North were through to their second Grand Final in three years.[18]

 

Best players: Blakey, Stevens, Bell, Simpson, McKernan, Martyn, Pickett, Carey.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Grant 4, Allison 3, Abraham 2, Roberts 2.

 

 

 

Grand Final: 27 September 1998

 

North versus Adelaide in front of 94,000 fans at the MCG.

 

 

 

 

North Melbourne 4.4, 6.15, 8.15, 8.22 (70)

Adelaide              3.2, 4.3, 9.11, 15.15 (105)

 

What a massive disappointment after 11 wins in a row. It was totally a game of two halves. There was a swirly wind and North missed some easy shots in the second quarter, but it seemed one way traffic. And then suddenly Adelaide got their second wind in the third quarter, and ran us off our legs. Even then, we had plenty of chances. Carey and other players missed easy set shots in the last quarter that they would have usually nailed. Its arguably the only Grand Final of the modern era lost due to poor kicking for goal, although Geelong supporters from 2008 might disagree.

 

Best players: Bell, Stevens, Martyn, Archer, Pickett, Abraham, Harvey.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: All singles.

 

 

Best and Fairest Top Ten 1998

 

Wayne Carey 526

Anthony Stevens 453

Glenn Archer 441

John Blakey 355

Peter Bell 323

Shannon Grant 306

Michael Martyn 270

Byron Pickett 268

David King 263

Adam Simpson 247

 

Leading Goalkickers 1998

 

Wayne Carey 80

Shannon Grant 46

Winston Abraham 40

Brent Harvey 32

Corey McKernan 25

Craig Sholl 24

Glenn Archer 17

Peter Bell 17

Mark Roberts 14

Evan Hewitt 13

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

So a wonderful season ended in an acute letdown. NMFC Chairman Ron Casey termed 1998 a ‘failure’ given ‘the disappointment of the second-half fade out to be premiership runners up’.[19] Some media scribes suggested that North may have missed their opportunity given the ageing of a number of key players, and the lack of leg speed in their midfield.[20] Club stalwarts such as Darren Crocker and Anthony Rock retired and departed for another club respectively. But 1999 was to prove the critics wrong as North strolled to their fourth premiership.

[1] Philip Mendes, ‘Transitioning from the Fitzroy Lions to the North Melbourne Kangaroos 1997’, Footy Almanac, 6 January 2021,

[2] Charles Happell, ‘The Age footy team rates your club: 1^st North Melbourne’, The Age, 26 March 1998.

[3] For a good discussion of ‘Pagan’s Paddock’, see Greg Hobbs, ‘The coaching king’ in Football Record, Qualifying Finals, 4-6 September 1998, pp.22-24.

[4] Anon, ‘Roos’ Pickett a shooting star’, The Age, 9 September 1998.

[5] Rohan Connolly, ‘Carey steals cup’, The Age, 22 March 1998; Charles Happell, ‘The King breathes life into the Roos’, The Age, 22 March 1998.

[6] Len Johnson, ‘Roos snatch victory’, The Age, 28 March 1998.

[7] Len Johnson, ‘Demons run riot’, The Age, 5 April 1998.

[8] Martin Blake, ‘Struggling Roos ride a break to victory’, The Age, 4 May 1998; Jake Niall, ‘Escape artists supreme do the expected again’, The Age, 4 May 1998.

[9] Charles Happell, ‘North repeats flag victory’, The Age, 17 May 1998.

[10] Len Johnson, ‘Roos make the Pies pay’, The Age, 9 June 1998: Jake Niall, ‘Abraham transformed by Pagan’s faith’, The Age, 9 June 1998.

[11] Ashley Browne, ‘Roos stomp on Saints’, The Age, 5 July 1998.

[12] Stephen Rielly, ‘Carey and co give brutal lesson’, The Age, 26 July 1998.

[13] Ben Mitchell, ‘Roos unplug the power’, The Age, 2 August 1998; Martin Blake, ‘Rising to the height of impossibility’, The Age, 4 August 1998.

[14] Dwayne Russell, ‘Roos brilliant and brutal’, The Age, 16 August 1998.

[15] Alan Shiell, ‘Carey’s class action’, The Age, 23 August 1998.

[16] Len Johnson, The Age, 29 August 1998.

[17] Len Johnson, ‘Carey puts Dons out’, The Age, 5 September 1998.

[18] Ashley Browne, ‘Demon dream is over’, The Age, 19 September 1998.

[19] Ron Casey, ‘Chairman’s Report’ in The 1998 Kangaroos Yearbook, p.3.

[20] Robert Walls, ‘Pagan prepares for Roo culling’, The Age, 28 September 1998.

 

 

More from Phillip Mendes can be read Here.

 

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