One of the many storylines surrounding North’s breakthrough victory involved Cohuna’s Gary Farrant, who played a part in a selection ploy from Roos coach Ron Barassi.
Barassi would name ruck Barry Goodingham in the forward pocket for the 1975 VFL grand final in an attempt to lure opponents Hawthorn into selecting their own back-up ruck, Bernie Jones, for the game.
The Hawks promptly did so, only for Barassi to redeploy Goodingham to the bench shortly before the first bounce, bringing defender Farrant into the starting 18.
North Melbourne would go on to win the premiership by 55 points, 19.8 (122) to 9.13 (67), becoming the last of the 12 VFL teams to secure a flag.
Farrant was originally recruited to the Roos for the 1967 season and was known as a versatile player, used in various positions throughout his career.
He was more often used in attack in his first stint at the club, between 1967 and 1971, and kicked the majority of his 88 career goals during that time.
Gary and brother Doug, who joined him at North Melbourne in 1968, departed the VFL club after the 1971 season, returning for a year to Cohuna, but Barassi was able to lure the pair back to the Roos when he took over as coach in 1973.
Doug would be offloaded to Perth after the 73’ season, but Gary remained at the club for its grand final defeat to Richmond in 74’, and would announce his retirement, at the age of 29, following the 1975 premiership win.
He made 138 VFL appearances in his two stints with the Kangaroos.
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