Those of a Kangaroo or Eagle persuasion have had little to cheer about in recent years.
The meetings of the two struggling clubs have been off-broadway, and for good reason. For a while there, it looked like the only meaningful chance of victory in a given season for either club would come in the shape of a match against the other.
The two clubs have "won" four of the last five wooden spoons, with only a Richmond side in the early throes of a generational rebuild breaking the two clubs' stranglehold on last place on the ladder.
But there appears a light at the end of the tunnel.
For North Melbourne, the light dimmed somewhat last week, with a destiny-bound Dockers outfit taking the opportunity to flex, and build percentage, against Alastair Clarkson's troops.
Some oxygen can be afforded that flame with a victory on Saturday afternoon.
After all, this is a side laden with talent, particularly in its engine room and front half. Yes, they're still many defenders short of contention, but inroads have been made with regards to defensive accountability from a previously one-way-running on-ball brigade, and the class of Nick Larkey and Paul Curtis - class that has never been questioned - has only been enhanced by the emergence of Cooper Trembath.
This is a side with five wins already this season. I concede, those wins have hardly come against the competition's elite, but they represent growth, given North have succumbed to the will of their battling contemporaries on multiple occasions in recent years.
Five is as many as they managed in an entire season last year, and only one shy of 2023 and 2024's win tallies, combined. It's growth, no matter how detractors wish to spin it.
The Eagles, particularly at home, are quickly becoming appointment viewing this season.
I found the swagger of Harley Reid difficult to root for in his early days, as his team continued to be belted off the park on a weekly basis, and by his own admission, his conditioning was not up to scratch. Throw in the needless, hot-headed free kicks he conceded for off the ball incidents and it was a hard watch, at times.
But the 2026 edition of this superstar-in-waiting is an entirely different story.
That same swagger that was once premature is now having a genuine impact on winning football. The leaner iteration of this prodigiously talented match-winner drags his team into contention in most of its matches, as he wins important one on ones, kicks impressive majors and galvanises a young side who'd almost forgotten the joy of winning with gritty, team-first actions.
The responsibility of almost foster parenting the club's latest number one pick, in Willem Duursma, appears to suit the young man down to the ground. There's a maturity that follows him now, and an assurance to his demeanour.
Duursma himself promises to be quite the footballer.
Yes, I know that number one pick status would indicate as much, but "Worm" is already proving a nightmare matchup for bodies much bigger than his own. He has extraordinary reach, eye-catching athleticism, the necessary intangibles and appears built for the moment. These housemates are the club's future, and doesn't it look bright?
There are auxiliary pieces aplenty, too. It is a crying shame that a campaign that seemed destined to end with his status emboldened and shoulders emblazoned was ended prematurely through injury for Reuben Ginbey, but up the other end, key forward Jake Waterman is still having a say in the outcome of matches. Those bookends are something most clubs are clamouring for.
Cooper Duff-Tytler, Jobe Shanahan and Milan Murdock will be part of the club's next flag, too, I'm sure of it.
A loss on Saturday is hardly the end of the world for either of these teams, although you'd imagine the jungle drums will beat with significant fervour if Alastair Clarkson helms another loss, given last week's drubbing.
But a win would mean plenty for either side. No, it's not going to solidify premiership contention or signal a late charge to meaningful September action for fan bases starved of such a treat, but clubs love to talk about the nourishment that a side gets from victory - particularly when such moments are fleeting, few and far between.
A win over the other side that has spent much of the decade aimlessly traversing football's wilderness with you will make the victor walk taller.
