How good were North in the 1990s?

[Dazzler9]

This obviously isn't right.

In 1990 with a very young list (oldest player was 27, two players over 25, 3/4 of the list U24,) we were unlucky to finish 6/14 and miss finals. We scored over 200/30 goals twice. In 1993 we finished third on the ladder and lost the elimination final. (To the WC lol.) So two years out of eleven we were non entities.

1990, 1991 and 1992 no finals.

 

[ferball]

1990, 1991 and 1992 no finals.

So not a non entity, just not a finals side. In 1990 they were one of three (or four) teams to score 200 points in a season twice (Geelong did it in two separate seasons.)

For all their so called consistency after their 1994 Premiership the Eagles won two finals for the rest of the decade.

 

[Dazzler9]

So not a non entity, just not a finals side. In 1990 they were one of three (or four) teams to score 200 points in a season twice (Geelong did it in two separate seasons.)

For all their so called consistency after their 1994 Premiership the Eagles won two finals for the rest of the decade.

Yes. That's my point.

 

[Bedi]

So not a non entity, just not a finals side. In 1990 they were one of three (or four) teams to score 200 points in a season twice (Geelong did it in two separate seasons.)

For all their so called consistency after their 1994 Premiership the Eagles won two finals for the rest of the decade.

From what i remember that 1990 side was very competitive.

 

[ferball]

Yes. That's my point.

North won two finals in the first five years of the 90s, WC won two in the last five years of the 90s. Neither were non entities across those years tho.

 

[Altum Volantes]

1994.

Yeah nah - they weren't even the 2nd best that year - Carlton were better.

They should have won in 98 (and probably 97, but it all went a bit sideways by September) - but got one back in 99.

2 was fine for that team.

North were a great team - especially fron 94 to 99 - great in 93 too when they jumped up.

They didn't have as many champions in the line up as West Coast or Carlton of the 90s but Carey really did elevate those around him, he was so far and away their best player.

 

[GoldbergsGold]

It's pretty insane to think North Melbourne won a premiership the same year they almost folded (propagated as merging) in 1996.

 

[GoldbergsGold]

North were good, but it really was the Wayne Carey show with some good guest stars, they actually could be accused of under performing IMO. They should've won 3 or 4 flags in the 90s...? Still, they played in the last great era of AFL football as it should be played.

Maybe 3, since in 1998 they messed up royally in that grand final, but maybe it helped spark their 1999 premiership drive. Without that loss they may have had a premiership hang over in 99.

 

[ferball]

Yeah nah - they weren't even the 2nd best that year - Carlton were better.

They should have won in 98 (and probably 97, but it all went a bit sideways by September) - but got one back in 99.

2 was fine for that team.

North were a great team - especially fron 94 to 99 - great in 93 too when they jumped up.

They didn't have as many champions in the line up as West Coast or Carlton of the 90s but Carey really did elevate those around him, he was so far and away their best player.

LOL Carlton had a finals record that year like the Eagles after 1994.

We would have smashed you into the ground. Only the umpires saved you.

 

[RonnieRaven]

North were good, but it really was the Wayne Carey show with some good guest stars, they actually could be accused of under performing IMO. They should've won 3 or 4 flags in the 90s...? Still, they played in the last great era of AFL football as it should be played.

Mckernan archer bell king more than good guest stars
Totally underselling the team
Lockett and ablett never won a flag
It takes more than a few
“good guest stars” surrounding a champion to be successful

 

[ferball]

Mckernan archer bell king more than good guest stars
Totally underselling the team
Lockett and ablett never won a flag
It takes more than a few
“good guest stars” surrounding a champion to be successful

Wayne Schwass is very under rated. Stevens too. Both ran hard all game and could kick long and straight.

They were a bloody good side too at their best because they'd hit contests with suicidal intensity and always ran in numbers to support their team mates, providing options and shepherds inside and options outside the contest. The amount of times players like Stevens would handball blindly to space on the outside cos he trusted someone would get to the spot and they did...

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

What's 98?

Isn't that what Ashton Agar was dismissed for on his Test debut?

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Isn't that what Ashton Agar was dismissed for on his Test debut?

They're a band.

98 degrees.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

They're a band.

98 degrees.

Would that be less likely for someone to cry over though?

 

[voorhees]

they definitely put themselves front and centre with the Friday night television dominance.
Makes you think were they would be now without that exposure.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

they definitely put themselves front and centre with the Friday night television dominance.
Makes you think were they would be now without that exposure.

Arden Street.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Craig Sholl
Crocker
Roberts
Laidley
Capuano
Pike
Fairley

Could all play.

 

[HBF]

North were an amazing team through the 1990's. Saw them live alot as my younger brother is a North supporter. Carey could turn a game like very few others could. Would just take the game by the scruff of the neck and blow away the opposition.

Just a very well balanced side through that period with a very good coach.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

I wish I got to see Carey and North in the 90's. One of my footy regrets as a fan.

 

[Andyy]

I was too young.

But I feel the Dons of 99-01 really didn't cash in

 

[crowman2]

Craig Sholl
Crocker
Roberts
Laidley
Capuano
Pike
Fairley

Could all play.

They were ok

But the thread is about how good they were and anyone that knows footy there is one word for that

CAREY

If any club had him they would have dominated

And the ironic thing was he was the sweetener so north could get the horse

 

[Altum Volantes]

LOL Carlton had a finals record that year like the Eagles after 1994.

We would have smashed you into the ground. Only the umpires saved you.

What on earth do you mean? In 1994? Weird hill to die on.

Carlton bombed out in the finals but were the only team close to the Eagles during the H&A season. North were a really good team that year but weren't quite at Premiership level - they were 13-9.

West Coast beat North H&A during the season - Jakovich was obviously a great match up for King Carey.

Put it this way, coming into the finals, Carlton were the only team I thought could beat West Coast for the flag - when they bombed out, I was VERY confident we would win it all....and I was something of a pessimist, even in my younger days.

It's by the by, 30+ years ago, - happy to concede you left one out there in 1998 though - WCE definitely did in 1991 too.

 

[LuckyBounce!]

Made prelims atleast every year from 94 to 99 I think and should have won more than the two flags but the eagles were a powerhouse back then and the crows won back to back so there was some competition around

 

[Mr Meow]

North won two finals in the first five years of the 90s, WC won two in the last five years of the 90s. Neither were non entities across those years tho.

I'd say at minimum a side needs to make multiple prelims across a 5 year span to be considered a relevant player in that period (or of course winning a flag). Early 90s Roos and late 90s Eagles don't meet that requirement.

 

[EBERT THE KING]

if Buckley doesn't do them dirty, they win 4 in a row for mine.