Melbourne went on to merge with Brisbane instead after the failed merger with Fitzroy. This while St. Kilda and Sydney are in negotiations to merge, North Melbourne had something Fitzroy desperately needed - a training facility (located at the Arden Street Oval). Melbourne on their way to stardom took in a financially challenged Fitzroy in the November of 1996 and the works were finalize in January of '97.
North Fitzroy manages to have the upper hand on Carlton since the Roos failed merger with the Blues. Meanwhile, Port Adelaide is granted an expansion team as the Power will compete for the local derby and affection of still growing Adelaide. After a dismal four loss start in 1997, North manages to gain 32 straight points and from their win all but two matches good enough for fourth on the ladder and a strong road to the Grand Final including wins over two rivals in Hawthorn and Essendon in succession. Their banner run saw a victory over St. Kilda to take the cup. Little did anyone know, but St. Kilda and Sydney were to merge for the following season. That same following season saw a repeat champion in North who finished one point off of a minor premiership (behind a surprise Richmond) and defeated the Adelaide, a surging West Coast, and Adelaide again to win the banner. This would be the last time for five seasons North would make a finals fun finishing seventh, eighth, and tenth during any given season in the now 15 team league.
North Fitzroy manages to have the upper hand on Carlton since the Roos failed merger with the Blues. Meanwhile, Port Adelaide is granted an expansion team as the Power will compete for the local derby and affection of still growing Adelaide. After a dismal four loss start in 1997, North manages to gain 32 straight points and from their win all but two matches good enough for fourth on the ladder and a strong road to the Grand Final including wins over two rivals in Hawthorn and Essendon in succession. Their banner run saw a victory over St. Kilda to take the cup. Little did anyone know, but St. Kilda and Sydney were to merge for the following season. That same following season saw a repeat champion in North who finished one point off of a minor premiership (behind a surprise Richmond) and defeated the Adelaide, a surging West Coast, and Adelaide again to win the banner. This would be the last time for five seasons North would make a finals fun finishing seventh, eighth, and tenth during any given season in the now 15 team league.
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