Poll: How did you get into supporting North?

[ferball]

I was never good at Maffs

MAFS on the other hand - you'd watch it every week.

 

[Lomas]

MAFS on the other hand - you'd watch it every week.

Na, just the humorous write ups the next day. Honest.

 

[Waynesworld]

Mums cousin played for North in the 70s (played in the premierships). So i was automatically a North supporter having been born early 70s.

 

[Lomas]

Mums cousin played for North in the 70s (played in the premierships). So i was automatically a North supporter having been born early 70s.

Multiple cousins of my parents played for the Saints and South Melbourne/Sydney. Thank god they were seen as disappointments for their lack of success.

 

[CBSlogger]

Old man is mad Saints, arrived in Aus in '67 from UK, lived in Elwood / Elsternwick area so chose to follow Saints with most of his scaffolder mates. Poor sucker thought he was on a good thing at the time.

Mum used to take me to Maccas once a month as a treat, when I was 4 they were handing out footy club stickers one visit... I got a north one.

That was it for me and the old man didn't fight hard enough to keep me Saints. I watched close to every game at moorrabbin for the next decade in or so in North gear. Saw more of plugger from day 1 than most Saints fans.

Went with Dad in '91 when the Saints made it back to finals first time in a long time (funny story, we lost each other at the buses after the game, I ended up walking from waverley park to nunawading station (cause it always seemed such a short list bus ride!). Parents had called the cops who were there when I got home about 9pm.

I was 17 when I went to our '93 elim final, had a great run from there as a young bloke.

BTW I have 3 daughters and made sure I didn't make the same mistake my old man did - all good North girls.

 

[Arthur Cloke]

My Great Grandma barracked for Hotham, and then in 1925 when we joined the VFL (before it became the AFL), my Grandma dated a NM player forever and a day. One thing lead to another and then I came along and began barracking for the Gold Coast Suns because, being an avid astronomer, the Sun is my favourite star. Sure, it's not the biggest star out there, but it's definitely the closest one to Earth. You can take that to the bank.

If the Suns fold or relocate at any stage, then I'll barrack for Nth Melbourne again like I did in the olden days.

And to those of you who think Jack Darling

28

Jack Darling

Age

32

Ht

191cm

Wt

95kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.1

3star

K

7.9

3star

HB

4.2

3star

M

5.0

5star

T

3.0

5star

G

1.9

5star

D

8.0

2star

K

4.3

2star

HB

3.7

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

2.4

3star

G

1.3

5star

D

14.6

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.0

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

4.0

5star

G

1.4

5star

is not a good move, you've just gotta hand it to Bradley Rawlings. He's a freak recruiter. Sheezel & Wardlaw for JHF - my goodness. That'll go down as The Trade made in Heaven.

 

[krakouers]

Fitzroy died

Wasn’t a fan but watched their last game in WA (on TV live) and remember the sadness

 

[Luke72]

Wasn’t a fan but watched their last game in WA (on TV live) and remember the sadness

A kid at school was the biggest footy nut I knew and a mad Fitzroy supporter. He was lost to the game. It was terrible what they did.

 

[Chip Scab1]

A kid at school was the biggest footy nut I knew and a mad Fitzroy supporter. He was lost to the game. It was terrible what they did.

Better them than us.

I still haven't forgiven them for how they made me feel in 1992 or 1993 at Princess Park. They were 27 (i think) down at 3/4 time against the Mighty Joeys (we were young as **** that year from memory) - anyway, Ross Lyon (I think) goal with a minute to go, hurt my feelings and I won't shed a tear for them because of that day. Also hated Peter Sartori for head butting Ducks fist at Western Oval that day in 1993. Should have got life for that, Duck could have hurt himself.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Early 90s I used to spend a lot of time at my cousin's place while mum worked.
My cousin had this massive poster on her door of a young bloke by the name of Wayne Carey, and the poster always grabbed my attention.
Decided I was also a North supporter, was lucky enough to jump on a couple of years before 96 happened.

The rest is history.

 

[Augustine]

When I was a kid my older brother was supporting North from the 99 grand final.

Then Jess Sinclair gave me a little signed footy at shopping centre in Canberra. That was the clincher for me.

 

[Boozeroo]

Dad followed Barassi from Carlton to North, and stuck fat. I was born in '77

 

[Twinkletoes]

Also hated Peter Sartori for head butting Ducks fist at Western Oval that day in 1993. Should have got life for that, Duck could have hurt himself.

I was standing in front of the EJ Whitten Stand alongside my Fitzroy supporting brothers, dad, uncles and cousins when that occurred right in front of us. The red mist descended over all of their faces and the bile filled abuse was off tap towards Duck. I laughed, much to their chagrin. It was an old school “make him earn it” whack to the back of his head which would cop weeks today. I loved it!

 

[ansonholt]

I was born in 1969, and was on a school bus in 1976 when the Collingwood chant broke out for some reason. I had no idea what that was and didn't participate in it, but I do recall having a Collingwood jumper in my drawer in those days which I'm pretty sure my Dad bought for me because he was a Collingwood fan.

So when I got home from that trip I had a discussion with my mother in the kitchen of our house in Broadmeadows. Mum was also a Collingwood fan. Sort of. She didn't follow footy that much. Conversation went something like this:

"So what is Collingwood? Why were all the kids chanting it on the bus?"

"They're a football team in the VFL. The VFL is the main football competition in Victoria. Those people chanting would have been Collingwood supporters."

"Okay, should I support Collingwood?"

"Only if you want to."

"So I can choose?"

"Yes"

"I want to choose a different team. Who should I choose?"

"What about North Melbourne? They won the premiership last year."

"What's the premiership?"

"The best team in the VFL each year is the one that wins the Grand Final at the end of the season. That's called the premiership."

"And North Melbourne won it last year?"

"Yes."

"Okay I'll support North Melbourne."

And that's how it happened. So success can generate supporters. Now my American wife and my son also support North. We all go to games together every year.

I don't recall the 1976 Grand Final at all, but I do recall 1977, when of course, out of nowhere, North Melbourne played Collingwood not once but twice. My parents supported my decision and never held it against me.

I remember the 77GF and the replay very well. We watched the 77GF and replay at a friends house, because they had colour TV and we didn't.

Footy, and especially the NMFC, has been a major part of my life ever since. I was living overseas in 1996 and 1999 so I am yet to attend a GF with North playing in it. I hope that will change soon.

As a side note, Dad passed away two days ago. Mum died in 2021. I love you both.

 

[Disco Dew]

I was born in 87 and my north supporting pop died in 89. My nanna, a devout south Melbourne fan moved in with us in 90. She gave my brother and I his north merch but my brother was already a hawks fan. So it was all mine!
I have no memory of my pop but carrying on his love of the kangas just feels right I guess.

 

[Gorman2Geister]

For some reason my dad had a rule that no one could support the same team as another person in the family (extending to aunts and uncles) and all us kids had to pick a team as long as it wasn't Collingwood. He was Fitzroy, mum was Melbourne, an aunt was Footscray, an uncle was Geelong, grandmother * so the field was narrowed. I remember watching Drew Morphett on The Winners on a Saturday night in the mid 80's and was really drawn to the Kangaroos logo and colours. My dad said they were not very good but that didn't faze me at the time.

Then the 90's happened and being one of a handful of North supporters at school but knowing you had the best team and best player and could go to matches on Friday night before school footy on Saturdays - I didn't know how good I had it at the time, when my biggest disappointment was not marrying Posh Spice.

 

[Twinkletoes]

As a side note, Dad passed away two days ago. Mum died in 2021. I love you both.

So sorry for you mate.

 

[wolvesRoos]

Mine is very random. Uk immigrant no idea about Aussie rules would never have seen a game arrives in Australia at 6 yo and mum takes us shopping for stuff for our new rental. I still remember this even where the shop was in reservoir.

Today we need to buy placemats to eat off. Mum says I can choose whatever I want one for me and one for my brother.

I pick this cool looking blue and red one with a demon on the front and also pick a yellow one with a bird on it for my brother.

Just as I am about to take them to mum I see what looks like it might be a kangaroo tail sticking out the bottom of the pile. I pull it out and have a think if it's better than the demon one. I decide it is mainly due to mum and dad telling us we were moving to the land of the kangaroos.

That was it. Unknown to me that act had me as a north supporter and my brother a hawk supporter. Parents followed up at xmas with matching footy jumpers. Number 3 Jimmy Krakouer

 

[Nate7]

My godfather was club Dr and board member at the time of my birth, obviously I had no say in who I supported.
To this day I still have my first social club pass signed by I think Allen Aylett.
My first football was signed by Cable, Schimma, Glendenning.

 

[Shack18]

Ardmona fruit cans got north Melbourne pack of cards. Firmed up by my old man delivering the King and being their family Doctor (when he was in Wagga).

 

[travelli]

I'm ex Fitzroy and I was living in Canberra and I was dabbling in supporting the roos (they were playing games at Manuka oval).

I popped up to Sydney to watch this game and I have never looked back.



I am disappointed they cut the coverage as Sav took that mark, because about 10 seconds later a ran out from the boundary and gave him a hug. Good times, great team.

 

[ferball]

As a side note, Dad passed away two days ago. Mum died in 2021. I love you both.

Sorry to hear that. All the best mate.

 

[leighlee13]

I'm ex Fitzroy and I was living in Canberra and I was dabbling in supporting the roos (they were playing games at Manuka oval).

I popped up to Sydney to watch this game and I have never looked back.



I am disappointed they cut the coverage as Sav took that mark, because about 10 seconds later a ran out from the boundary and gave him a hug. Good times, great team.

What a game! One of my favourites.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

I was born in 1969, and was on a school bus in 1976 when the Collingwood chant broke out for some reason. I had no idea what that was and didn't participate in it, but I do recall having a Collingwood jumper in my drawer in those days which I'm pretty sure my Dad bought for me because he was a Collingwood fan.

So when I got home from that trip I had a discussion with my mother in the kitchen of our house in Broadmeadows. Mum was also a Collingwood fan. Sort of. She didn't follow footy that much. Conversation went something like this:

"So what is Collingwood? Why were all the kids chanting it on the bus?"

"They're a football team in the VFL. The VFL is the main football competition in Victoria. Those people chanting would have been Collingwood supporters."

"Okay, should I support Collingwood?"

"Only if you want to."

"So I can choose?"

"Yes"

"I want to choose a different team. Who should I choose?"

"What about North Melbourne? They won the premiership last year."

"What's the premiership?"

"The best team in the VFL each year is the one that wins the Grand Final at the end of the season. That's called the premiership."

"And North Melbourne won it last year?"

"Yes."

"Okay I'll support North Melbourne."

And that's how it happened. So success can generate supporters. Now my American wife and my son also support North. We all go to games together every year.

I don't recall the 1976 Grand Final at all, but I do recall 1977, when of course, out of nowhere, North Melbourne played Collingwood not once but twice. My parents supported my decision and never held it against me.

I remember the 77GF and the replay very well. We watched the 77GF and replay at a friends house, because they had colour TV and we didn't.

Footy, and especially the NMFC, has been a major part of my life ever since. I was living overseas in 1996 and 1999 so I am yet to attend a GF with North playing in it. I hope that will change soon.

As a side note, Dad passed away two days ago. Mum died in 2021. I love you both.

So sorry to hear.

All the best.

 

[Jack WMC]

My first serious encounter with North Melbourne was on a beautiful sunny day in 1966 (it must have been late in the season) when I was revising for my Year 12 examinations. I had idly switched the radio on and happened to get a Roos game. Noel Teasdale seemed to be everywhere, but he could only kick behinds. That game started me on my supporter’s journey - and I have never looked back ...
Fast forward to 1973, when my father gave me a copy of Fr Gerard Dowling’s book “The North Story”, coinciding with the interest created by Barassi’s arrival as coach. As I read through the book, I came to understand that one of my relations had been associated with the club in its earliest years, so my status as a North supporter was preordained.
We were overseas when the club won its first premiership, but my father-in-law - may he be forever blessed - rang me up in England so I could listen to the last ten minutes of the 1975 Grand Final and hear the excitement of our first Premiership. It must have cost him a bomb!
We were also at Arden Street when the pie stand caught fire. Although we were on the other side of the ground, we were a little worried as my eldest son had been perched on top of it minutes before the fire started. We were also around for the 1977 Grand Finals, but were in Canberra for the 1996 and 1999 Premierships and unable to attend in person.
It is a family affair with us: my daughter, son, and grandson ae members in addition to my wife, who somehow manages to put up with my enthusiasm.
I conclude with the observation that it appears that every twenty-five years (or so) from joining the VFL in 1925, North has appeared in Grand Finals: 1950, 1975, 1999 ... who knows, the next one might not be so far away.


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