Richmond rotated through its stars as it held off North Melbourne at Arden Street on Friday, the Tigers saluting 11.9 (75) to 10.13 (73) in blustery conditions.

North Melbourne was composed and well-disciplined in its first competitive run under new coach Alastair Clarkson, spreading the Richmond defence and creating space in attack.

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Harry Sheezel was outstanding early, playing across half-forward and pushing into the middle at times, booting two goals in the first quarter, before bobbing up in the fourth term for a clever third goal.

Richmond recruits Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper fitted in beautifully, spending a lot of time at centre bounces and impressing with their neat disposal. Taranto in particular looked dangerous floating into attack, kicking two goals.

Dustin Martin exploded into action in the third quarter, with two trademark goals in the space of a couple of minutes.

Tom Brown is yet to debut after a year on the list, but the young Richmond defender looked very comfortable at the top level and had some nice moments. Samson Ryan played Tom Lynch's role and looked lively. 

Trent Cotchin and Jack Ziebell went head-to-head, Cotchin kicking a neat front-and-centre goal in the second term in his new predominantly forward role. Rhyan Mansell also spent time across half-forward, having mainly played defence in his short career, while Ben Miller switched between forward and defence within the game.

Both clubs agreed to running a drill in the final two minutes of the second and third quarters, returning to the middle of the field for a centre bounce. Richmond – as the team in front at the time – set up as if defending a lead of less than a goal, while North Melbourne attempted to hit the front. The Tigers sent Cotchin into the middle for the "final minutes".

The Tigers began to roll through the changes after three of the six terms (the latter two featuring mostly VFL players), with Noah Cumberland, Biggie Nyuon, Thomson Dow, Ivan Soldo and Seth Campbell taking to the field, while Cotchin and Martin rested.

The Tigers were without Tom Lynch (foot), Shai Bolton (personal reasons), Marlion Pickett (general sorenss), Liam Baker (appendix), Nathan Broad (hamstring) and Jack Graham (toe).

North Melbourne went with a very tall forward line, with Nick Larkey, Callum Coleman-Jones, Charlie Comben and Eddie Ford all featuring; Comben in particular having some promising moments up against established Richmond defenders like Dylan Grimes, Robbie Tarrant (playing a half each) and Noah Balta.

Will Phillips showed some nice signs running through the middle, while Luke Davies-Uniacke picked up where he left off with a very professional performance.

Griffin Logue got through three pre-determined quarters in his first North Melbourne outing, the former Docker wearing a glove to protect his dislocated finger.