Darren Crocker has avoided saying the words "back-to-back" all year. However, after North Melbourne's sensational flag win, he finally said the forbidden phrase.
At no point during the season did North Melbourne intend to settle for just a single premiership. Crocker, as coach, stayed clear of the expression until the victory was secured.
"Back-to-back" was off-limits while the team focused on the present moment rather than past or future achievements.
The Kangaroos’ triumph marked a milestone in the club’s history, making Crocker’s eventual use of the words not only meaningful but symbolic of a season-long mindset shift.
This shows how intentional language management can reflect a team's focus and mindset throughout a competitive season.