North Melbourne vs Gold Coast: An Unlikely AFL Rivalry

It's not often that two teams from different parts of the country, with vastly different histories and fan bases, develop a fierce rivalry. But that's exactly what's happened between North Melbourne and Gold Coast.

The two clubs first met in 2011, shortly after Gold Coast entered the AFL. North Melbourne, a proud and established club with a rich history, was expected to easily defeat the expansion team. However, Gold Coast shocked the footy world by pulling off a stunning upset. That win set the tone for a rivalry that has been full of surprises ever since.

One of the things that makes this rivalry so unique is the geographic distance between the two clubs. North Melbourne is based in Melbourne, Victoria, while Gold Coast is located in Queensland. This means that the two teams rarely play each other, which adds to the excitement when they do.

In 2014, North Melbourne and Gold Coast played a thrilling match at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.
The game went down to the wire, with North Melbourne eventually winning by just two points.
The match was so intense that it was dubbed the "Battle of the Highway."

The rivalry between North Melbourne and Gold Coast has also been marked by some controversial moments.

In 2015, Gold Coast player Steven May was suspended for six weeks for a dangerous tackle on North Melbourne's Lindsay Thomas.
The incident sparked a heated debate about the role of physicality in the AFL.

Despite the occasional controversy, the rivalry between North Melbourne and Gold Coast remains one of the most exciting in the AFL. The two teams are always evenly matched, and their games are always full of drama and excitement.

I'm sure that this rivalry will continue to produce memorable moments for years to come.

So, who do you think will win the next time these two teams meet?