Richmond was left to lament inaccurate goalkicking, as North Melbourne ended its 14-game losing streak and dealt a blow to the Tigers' finals chances in a thrilling four-point result on Saturday.

The Kangaroos recorded just their second win of the season, giving Leigh Adams a dream start as caretaker coach with the 14.8 (92) to 11.22 (88) victory at Marvel Stadium.

The surprise result, set up by a six-goal haul from Cam Zurhaar, handed the Tigers a second straight loss as they slipped to 9-8 and were left clinging onto eighth spot.

Zurhaar booted five goals in the first half – during which North kicked 10 goals to three – and set up the unlikely victory, before the forward kicked the match-winning goal with just under three minutes remaining.

Richmond hit the front when Jack Graham converted a free kick but Zurhaar responded when he gleefully accepted Todd Goldstein's expert hitout at a boundary throw-in and snapped truly.

The Tigers had plenty of strong contributors through the middle – including Dion Prestia (26 disposals), Trent Cotchin and Jayden Short (24 each).

Veteran spearhead Jack Riewoldt kicked 2.6 and third-gamer Noah Cumberland 3.4.

Jy Simpkin was superb for the Roos with 34 disposals and a goal, while Paul Curtis kicked three goals.

It was a blow to the Tigers' finals chances, leaving them clinging to eighth spot on percentage ahead of a clash with Fremantle in round 19.

NORTH MELBOURNE 4.0 10.2 12.2 14.8 (92)
RICHMOND 2.5 3.12 8.16 11.22 (88)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Zurhaar 6, Curtis 3, Goldstein, Scott, Simpkin, Stephenson, Young
Richmond: Cumberland 3, Riewoldt 2, Baker, Balta, Graham, Miller, Rioli, Short

BEST
North Melbourne: Zurhaar, Simpkin, Davies-Uniacke, McKay, Greenwood, Curtis
Richmond: Prestia, Short, Cotchin, Cumberland, Nankervis

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Larkey (heel)
Richmond: Gibcus (shoulder)

SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Charlie Lazzaro (replaced Larkey in the fourth quarter)
Richmond: Jake Aarts (replaced Gibcus in the fourth quarter)