Richmond has been defeated by North Melbourne, and remain bottom of the table by one game, after a fighting 13-point loss to the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers surged late to bring the margin to within single figures, but a steadying goal to North Melbourne's Bailey Scott ensured the hosts did enough to secure the 14.6 (90) to 10.17 (77) victory.

It was the Roos' third win of the season, lifting them a game and percentage clear of Richmond on the ladder.

Spearhead Nick Larkey kicked five majors, while Luke Davies-Uniacke had a career-best three.

Richmond superstar Dustin Martin kicked 0.2 from 16 disposals on return after five weeks out with a back injury, while Dion Prestia (29 touches), Tim Taranto (27) and Jack Graham (24) worked hard in a losing cause.

Martin almost kicked a spectacular goal from the boundary line with the first shot of the game and was desperate to get involved throughout the opening term.

It was a lively start littered with turnovers, especially by North Melbourne's defenders, and the Tigers held an eight-point lead at the first break with a 20-11 advantage in forward entries.

Davies-Uniacke coughed up one early goal when an errant pass was chopped off by Seth Campbell, but responded with the next major and kicked two classy goals on the run in the first half.

Zane Duursma took a perfect ride on Noah Balta to haul in a spectacular mark in the second quarter and tempers flared as North piled on three quick goals to take the lead.

Larkey kicked two of those and sparked a melee when he celebrated the second by getting in the face of Liam Baker, who had roughed up the Roos spearhead moments earlier after he took a mark.

The lead changed hands six times during an entertaining second term and the Tigers went to the main break one point in front.

Davies-Uniacke kicked his third major - despite shanking his set shot from 20m out - to edge the Kangaroos ahead in a third-quarter arm wrestle.

Four consecutive goals meant they turned for home with a game-high 18-point lead after Jaidyn Stephenson won a free kick and converted after the three-quarter time siren.

An inaccurate Richmond made all the running in the final term and got within seven points when Liam Baker kicked his second major, but Scott shut the gate with a calm set shot with 2:30 left on the clock.

NORTH MELBOURNE 2.2 7.3 12.6 14.6 (90)
RICHMOND 3.4 6.10 8.12 10.17 (77)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Larkey 5, Davies-Uniacke 3, Phillips, Powell, Scott, Stephenson, Teakle, Zurhaar
Richmond: Baker 2, Koschitzke 2, Bolton, Brown, Campbell, Green, Mansell, Ralphsmith

BEST
North Melbourne: Davies-Uniacke, Xerri, McKercher, Powell, Sheezel, Scott
Richmond: Baker, Prestia, Nankervis, Taranto, Hopper

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Stephens (ankle)
Richmond: Green (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Robert Hansen jnr (replaced Dylan Stephens in the third quarter)
Richmond: Kamdyn McIntosh (replaced Steely Green in the third quarter)

Crowd: 35,861 at Marvel Stadium