The VFL Tigers have booked their Wildcard spot with a gritty 12-point win over North Melbourne on Sunday at the Swinburne Centre.

“Sacrifice yourself for the betterment of someone else.” — Francis Bourke.

On a weekend where Richmond celebrated the careers of two premiership icons, its VFL side aimed to play with the spirit of another, ‘St. Francis’.

When the quietly spoken, Bourke graces the halls of the Swinburne Centre, he commands attention and senior coach, Steve Morris drew down on a famous quote for inspiration.

The Tigers’ fate was in their grasp, a win against North Melbourne and they secure a spot in next week’s inaugural Wildcard Round.

After a stress-riddled last quarter, the Tigers’ pulse in 2023 quickened after a 13.10 (88) to 11.10 (76) victory, setting up a do-or-die encounter with archrivals, Collingwood.

The game was played in Richmond’s half for large chunks of the opening eight minutes of the game, with a solitary point to show for the territory dominance until Jacob Bauer slotted the opener.

Bauer ended the game with a team-high four goals.

He remained engaged defensively as North Melbourne attempted to switch across goal, the Tigers’ key forward glided in front of a Roos’ defender and clutched a forward-50 intercept.

One of Bauer’s main strengths is his unerring set-shot, and he made no mistake from 25 metres out on a slight angle.

North Melbourne kicked into gear soon after, making the most of its opportunities with two slick majors.

Mohammed Yassine has endeared himself to the coaching staff and the Richmond faithful with his tenacity and speed. You can add unflinching courage to that list of attributes, after Yassine drifted back with the flight inside 50.

The electric forward was crunched in the contest, after steeling himself, Yassine importantly kicked the goal in the shadows of quarter-time.

The Kangaroos hit back soon after the restart, as the Tigers struggled to connect inside 50.

Cam Olden sparked the Tigers with a trio of goals last week and bobbed up for Richmond’s third major.

The Tigers’ fourth major came via the right boot of Samson Ryan following a strong contested mark close to goal.

Tyler Sonsie was another who kicked a vital goal in last week’s win over Port Melbourne, and he did so again with a right-foot check side goal in front of the Jack Dyer Stand.

Richmond extended its lead to 13 points by the main break.

The sound of Yassine cheering home his second major echoed around a sunbathed Punt Road Oval, just reward for his chase down tackle.

Rhyan Mansell showed a touch of class snapping his first and the Tigers’ seventh goal, much to the delight of fans filling the terrace in front of the David Mandie Building.

Ryan engaged his defender early, earning himself a free kick and split the middle with his set-shot, his second for the day.

Bauer sprung to life in the third term, balletically controlling the air and inflicting maximum impact on the scoreboard.

Yassine wowed the crowd again, with a goal of the year contender, pinballing off a North defender then sliding through a right-boot check side from the Richmond Station pocket.

Bauer and Yassine slotted two goals apiece in the third term, stretching Richmond’s lead out past five goals by the final change.

Tension rose in the final term, which started with Bauer dribbling through his fourth major which triggered the Roos into action.

Tyler Sellers clunked every ball that was directed his way and North Melbourne had a five-goal burst that dragged the deficit to under two goals.

Tom Brindley eased the pressure somewhat, with a classy goal from a tight angle which allowed the Tigers to keep their lead to a manageable two goals.

RICH   2.5       5.8       11.9     13.10 (88)

NTH    2.1       4.3       6.6       11.10 (76)

Goal Kickers:

Richmond: Bauer (4), Yassine (3), Ryan (2), Sonsie, Olden, Mansell, Brindley

Best Players: Bauer, Yassine, Mansell, Ryan, Brown, Banks