With the AFL proposing to relocate them to the Gold Coast, the Roos’ rank-and-file supporters did what their players did so successfully in 2007 - came out fighting and punched well above their weight.
A new dynamic team headed by media identity James Brayshaw was installed, and the Kangaroos stayed put.
The Kangaroos - for so long competition nomads as they tested the water in Sydney, then Canberra, then the Gold Coast - have this year reverted to the North Melbourne moniker of their heyday.
It was new chairman Brayshaw's first promise on taking charge, and goes hand-in-hand with the defiant stand they've made in committing to being a Melbourne-based club after years of having a bet each-way.
Coach Dean Laidley believes Arden Street is a better place to be thanks to the ructions in the off-season.
He is now working closer than ever with those in charge.
It helps that Brayshaw's second promise was agreeing to Laidley's previously unfulfilled demands for better funding for a vastly under-resourced football department.
"You would like to think it is (better at North Melbourne now),” Laidley said. “We're a pretty tight group now, between myself, the leadership group, the CEO (ex-Collingwood No.2 Eugene Arocca) and the chairman.
"We're working pretty hard to make sure that we perform on-field and the club goes forward off-field."
With more than 23,500 members signed up, a new major sponsor and heavyweight support from the likes of Brayshaw and Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting driving an off-field renaissance, the pressure is now on Laidley and his players to back up their surprise 2007 preliminary final appearance.
The retirement of the remarkable Glenn Archer leaves a monstrous void in the playing ranks.
But the Kangaroos are confident they still have what it takes to repeat their 2007 heroics which stunned everyone outside the inner sanctum.
Certainly their list isn't as fragile as many outside North Melbourne would think.
Skipper Adam Simpson, on-baller Brent Harvey and Shannon Grant remain as dependable and prolific as ever, and the return of key forward Nathan Thompson after a year sidelined with a knee injury gives an up-front focal point.
They've unearthed a quality young ruckman in Hamish McIntosh, midfielder Andrew Swallow is brave and uncompromising and Jesse Smith is a rising star.
Defender Michael Firrito also came of age last season. He has been given Archer's No.11 jumper for 2008 - a clear sign of how highly he is regarded.
And the competition is yet to consistently see the best of midfielder Daniel Wells, though glimpses of brilliance were on offer last season. He could enter the competition's elite if he steps up.
Going so deep into the finals means Laidley has been able to get his players exactly where he wants them heading into this year, and so far they have dodged any major pre-season injury disruptions.
"We've been lucky that we went late into the season last year and we didn't have to have any operations so we've had 95 per cent of the group do a lot of the work," Laidley said.
"We've particularly planned with our older guys to get some footy into them early in the pre-season and lighten them off as we get close to round one.
The Kangaroos are likely to give game time to 2006's No.3 draft pick Lachlan Hansen at centre half-back, while new draftee Robbie Tarrant - brother of Fremantle's Chris - has impressed his teammates with his skills and marking ability.
Like his sibling, he is expected to develop into a key forward.
How well they and the team progress is vital to ensuring North Melbourne does have a long and viable future in Melbourne.
Laidley is confident that all the ingredients are there for the club's brave decision to stay put to ultimately prove successful.
"There's certainly a strategy and James has brought that on board," he said.
"Everything he's said he was going to do and put into place, he's certainly done that.
"He's brought some great people to the footy club and some great sponsors to the footy club.
"If we can continue to go forward, it augurs well for the future."
