In 1954, American social psychologist Leon Festinger proposed the idea of social comparison theory. The premise was that individuals are driven to gain accurate self-evaluations, and therefore compare themselves to others.

1954 was also the year that Footscray became the first of 1925's three VFL expansion clubs to win a premiership. Seven years later, Hawthorn, too, broke through, although within four years the Hawks had fallen on hard times and finished bottom.

The third of the 1925 newcomers - North Melbourne - made the finals just five times in their first 49 years in the competition. The Hawks, not withstanding their flag, had qualified only three times in their first 46 years in the VFL.

That goes part of the way to explaining the comments of Sam Kekovich on Tuesday morning.

Wordsmith and showman Kekovich was on hand at Arden Street to kick off a week of commemorations marking 40 years since North defeated Hawthorn to win their first premiership. The celebrations will culminate on Saturday night when members of that team - and coach Ron Barassi - will feature in a motorcade ahead of the Roos' clash with Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium.

That 1975 win was the second of five consecutive grand finals (and the 1977 replay) for North, while for the Hawks it was the second of four grand finals they would contest during the decade, the last two of which were also against the Kangaroos - wins in 1976 and 1978. To borrow a phrase from North's 2014 membership slogan, they rose together.

"There are parallels between the two clubs, and our elevation to prominence," Kekovich said.

"We've had a healthy rivalry ever since then ... we both came together as a force, and our rivalry was fairly real."

It's unclear whether Kekovich - who had 22 touches and kicked a goal in the 1975 decider - is a believer in Festinger's work. But the larger-than-life former forward, recently 65, agrees with the notion that North can be defined by the Hawks.

"I think it very much defines who we are," he said. "We're a family club, they're regarded as a family club, they've been a club that's been recognised as bereft of genuine resource, but they've built it up through human component and a lot of passion. We're in a similar vein.

"All clubs do that, but Hawthorn and North Melbourne elevate themselves along those lines. There was no benevolent benefactor [or] any handout."