NORTH MELBOURNE 19.14 (128) def RICHMOND 8.18 (66)
MUCH of the talk about Richmond this season has been how they have evolved beyond losing games they ‘should’ win. This year was supposed to be the year that, perhaps they don’t claim a big scalp, but they win when favourites.
How differently things played out on Saturday.
In the opening term there was a sense, even though Richmond trailed by only seven points at quarter time, that North Melbourne had come to the game determined to stamp themselves on the contest.
Also on Football Nation: Talking Points: North Melbourne v Richmond
And in an amazing second quarter they slammed home eight unanswered goals to take a 53-point lead into the half-time break.
There would be no sign of the Kangaroos side that choked and gave away leads to the likes of Adelaide and Geelong, as North continued to strangle a very disappointing Richmond outfit with intense pressure.
The Tigers’ final scoreline of 8.18 had as much to do with North’s brilliance as it did Richmond’s ineptitude. No wonder Tigers coach Damien Hardwick labelled it an “arse-whipping”.
“You don’t want to lump the whole season into one game,” said Hardwick after the game.
“It’s just disappointing that we came out and wanted to play a good style of footy and just couldn’t get our game up and going.
“We just played a really bad game of footy today, it’s no deeper than that.
“The reality is we just had a really poor game.”
Much was made of the Kangaroos’ brave game style – putting numbers back to prevent Richmond breaking into space, then running and spread forward in lighting-quick fashion.
Even in the absence of suspended leading goalkicker Lindsay Thomas North was never short of options up forward, with recalled Robbie Tarrant booting four and Aaron Black three, with a plethora of others bobbing up for goals.
“My overwhelming feeling as the siren went is ‘That’s certainly our most complete performance’,” said North Melbourne coach Brad Scott after the game.
“I don’t think we had a weakness today, the boys combined really well.
“Our attack on the contest was really good and the way we wanted to play, we pretty much executed. We executed it the best we’ve done it all year.”
It was the type of form the Roos have teased all year, and was terrific to watch. Indeed it is a shame inconsistency and a lack of composure towards the end of games has hurt them on several occasions this year, because they should be higher on the ladder. Their destiny is in their own hands.
As is Richmond’s. The Tigers remain on track for finals, but will be swiftly dumped from them if they put in an effort like they did yesterday.
Here are the highlights from the game:
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.3 11.6 15.8 19.14 (128)
RICHMOND 2.2 2.7 4.15 8.18 (66)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Tarrant 4, Bastinac 3, Black 2, Mullett 2, Harvey 2, Ziebell 2, Petrie, Greenwood, Cunnington, Gibson
Richmond: Morris 2, White 2, Riewoldt 2, Ellis, Jackson
BEST
North Melbourne: Adams, Hansen, Greenwood, Thompson, Hine, Swallow, Ziebell, Goldstein
Richmond: Morris, Cotchin, Chaplin, Foley
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
Richmond: Bachar Houli (hamstring) replaced in the selected side by Matt Dea, Brandon Ellis (concussion), Daniel Jackson (ankle)
SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Brad McKenzie replaced Ben Cunnington in the fourth quarter
Richmond: Matt Dea replaced Brandon Ellis in the second quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Bannister, Margetts
Official crowd: 45,966 at Etihad Stadium