Background
This Grand Final saw the Kangaroos playing in their second Grand Final in three years, after their triumph in the 1996 AFL Grand Final. The Crows were competing in their second consecutive Grand Final, and were seeking back-to-back premierships after winning the 1997 AFL Grand Final. Craig Sholl for the Kangaroos was to play his 200th game.
At the conclusion of the home and away season, North Melbourne had finished first on the AFL ladder with 16 wins and 6 losses, winning the McClelland Trophy. They had won their last nine matches. Adelaide had finished fifth with 13 wins and 9 losses.
Adelaide fell to a heavy loss in its qualifying final against Melbourne at the MCG by 48 points, but still progressed to play a semi-final against Sydney at the SCG, which they won by 27 points. Adelaide then progressed to the preliminary final against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG, and won convincingly won by 68 points.
North Melbourne won its qualifying final against Essendon by 22 points at the MCG, sending them to a home preliminary final against Melbourne. They won that match by 30 points to progress to the Grand Final. The finals wins extended North Melbourne's winning streak to eleven matches entering the Grand Final. The Kangaroos entered the game as heavy favourites.
Read more about this topic: 1998 AFL Grand Final
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