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Updated: 01/10/2009

Kangaroos
North Melbourne was formed in 1869 being either an offshoot of Hotham or of the St Mary's Church of England Cricket Club.

They were a foundation member of the VFA winning the premiership in 1903, 1904, 1910, 1914, 1915 and 1918.

They were not asked to join the VFL in 1897 for several reasons, namely that they were not financially strong, had a reputation for hooliganism and draw from the same territory as Essendon. 

They applied in 1907 when the VFL admitted Richmond and University and caused a sensation when they expelled from the VFA only to disband and reform the next year. Finally in 1925 they were admitted in somewhat of a surprise when three clubs were admitted instead of only one.

Premiership success did not come until 1975 under "supercoach" Ron Barrassi. The league had brought in the Ten Year rule which allowed North to snare several champions who had given ten years service to their previous clubs. They were again successful in 1977. The National Bank used a picture of a high flying North player on their advertising Covers.

Their highlight of the Centenary Season was North winning the 1996 Premiership Flag. They repeated this in 1999 after favourites Essendon were defeated in the preliminary Final by Carlton. Two covers were released by Havilah Enterprises to commemorate the Grand Final  and their Premiership.

North Melbourne were initially nicknamed the "Shinboners" . This was changed to the "Kangaroos" in 1954.

In 1982 a cover was issued showing the Club's logo.

North Melbourne played its initial games at Royal Park but moved to the Arden Street Ground in 1882. It now plays its home games at the MCG and uses Arden Street as its training ground.

1996 North Melbourne AFL Centenary Cover

The AFL Centenary Cover below shows the North Melbourne Peel and Stick Stamps with the North Melbourne Permanent Pictorial Postmark (PMP 634) which was introduced on the 23rd April 1996. Approximately 100 covers were cancelled on the first day.

The Kangaroos chose Keith Greig on the cover of their stamp Booklet and Wayne Carey on their Postcard and maximum card.

In 1999 North Melbourne began a push into Sydney with them playing 4 home games and 1 away game in the Harbour city. This was continued in 2000. They changed their name to North Kangaroos and then to just Kangaroos.

On the 7th March 2000 the inaugural meeting of the "Premiership Players Club" was held at the MCG to help raise funds for charity. One North Melbourne players was included in the 20 players pictured on the A4 sheet of 20 P stamps of the millennium issue. He was Keith Greig. The stamps were also displayed on a set of 20 first day covers by Havilah Enterprises.

The 25th May 2000 marked  the release of club and individual 2000 Personalised Stamps.

On the 28th March 2001 the second annual  meeting of the "Premiership Players Club" was held at the MCG to help raise funds for charity. Two North players were included in the 20 players pictured on the A4 sheet of 20 P stamps of the globe and map issue. They were Michael Martyn and Sam Kekovich. The stamps were also displayed on a set of 20 first day covers by Havilah Enterprises.

The 2001 season saw the Roos in the middle of the field. On the 30th March the 2001 Personalised Stamps were released. They ended out of the finals for the first time since being coached by Denis Pagan.

North Melbourne Team of the Century Cover

On the 30th of August 2001 at the Crown Casino, North Melbourne unveiled their Team of the Century. It included current player Wayne Carey as Captain.

On the 27th March 2002 the third annual  meeting of the "Premiership Players Club" was held at the MCG to help raise funds for charity. Two Kangaroo players were included in the 20 players pictured on the A4 sheet of 20 P stamps of the sand, sea and sky overlaid by the Southern Cross issue. They were Frank Gumbleton and John Blakey. The stamps were also displayed on a set of 20 first day covers by First Class Collectables.

The 2002 Personalised Stamps were released on the 15th May 2002.

After the sacking of Wayne Carey, 2002 was a mediocre result for the Kangaroos. They finished in the eight but were eliminated in the first wek.

The Annual Premiership Players Club P stamp Sheet of 20 players was released on the 26th March 2003. The North Melbourne players featured were Darren Crocker and David Dench. In April  the 2003 Personalised Stamps were released. The Roos kept the flag flying for the Victorian Clubs in the early part of 2003.

Bali Bombing victim Jason McCartney returned to the Kangaroo's Senior team on the 6th June 2003. Following an inspired victory over Richmond he announced his retirement. He gained special permission from the AFL to wear the numbers 88 and 202 on his jumper, representing the Australian and total death toll. First Class Collectibles released a cover  to commemorate the event.

The season ended with the Roos failing to make the eight.

2004 started with the Roos a chance to make the eight. In mid April the 2004 Personalised Stamps were released. This year they were a booklet of 20 stamps showing 10 players, rather than the A4 sheet. Stan Alves and David King  were included in the 20 players of the "Premiership Players Club".

On the 1st April 2005 the North Kangaroos booklet of the 2005 Personalised Stamps was released. First Class Collectables issued covers  to commemorate the Best and Fairest winners including Brett Harvey

On the 20th March 2006 the Kangaroos booklet of the 2006 Personalised Stamps was released. Round 16 was the Heritage Round with clubs wearing jumpers from a previous era. Onlycovers released a cover for each club including the Kangaroos FC.

After finishing outside the eight in 2006 the Kangaroos finished fourth in 2007 with Australia Post issuing the 2007 Personalised Stamps. In 2008 they were seventh and 2009 was a rebuilding years with them finishing in the bottom half of the ladder. Australia Post changed from the Prestige Booklet to the Folder format issuing the 2008 Personalised Stamps and 2009 Personalised Stamps.