To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Tigers’ 1974 premiership, Richmond Media has been transporting Yellow and Black barrackers back in time throughout 2024 to follow the Punt Road path to that tremendous triumph. Today we take a look at Richmond’s triumph over North Melbourne in the ’74 second semi-final at VFL Park, Waverley, via this match review by chief football writer for The Age newspaper at the time, Percy Beames . . .

North Melbourne coach Ron Barassi wants another crack at Richmond and the Tigers hope he gets it.

Barassi and North Melbourne no longer worry Richmond.

After their second semi-final win at VFL Park on Saturday, the Tigers believe they know everything to be learned about the Kangaroos.

It was, after all, Richmond’s third win over North this season . . .

There was little or nothing new for the Tigers to learn about North on Saturday.

Barassi made moves, more or less expected, but without squeezing anything extra out of players.

His plan was to try to instil doubts in Tom Hafey’s mind that the Tigers were being used in positions that best suited the side.

But Hafey’s confidence in his players to do their jobs wasn’t ruffled; instead Barassi’s moves backfired.

The only North player to pay his way when shifted was David Dench, who was taken away from full-back to play against Royce Hart at centre half-back.

The move served a double purpose. It put Hart under pressure and it enabled Dench to get closer to the real action.

Dench has become one of those inspiring players whose dashing runs can often lift team-mates.

Unfortunately, his move left North undermanned at full-back.

Richmond full-forward Barry Richardson could not be contained by Frank Gumbleton or Phil Baker. He kicked 5.2 from seven shots and it’s no certainty Dench would have kept him to less.

But that was only part of North’s trouble.

The Kangaroos got few chances to produce the purposeful attacking movements that allowed them to clear away from Hawthorn twice in two games.

Against Hawthorn, North got the ball out into the open in a manner that gave team-mates that vital edge.

But not against Richmond, North was always pushing forward under pressure.

The Tigers went into Saturday’s game believing they held a ruck advantage and they were proved right.

Michael Green and Neil Balme won and held front position too easily against slow-moving Mick Nolan.

They took more marks in positions that counted, and they co-operated better with their rovers.

Admittedly Richmond’s ruck supremacy was cut back when Barry Goodingham became North’s chief follower after half-time, but Barassi must know he cannot hope to close the ruck gap between the two teams.

Early in the game the Tigers were a thought and a yard ahead of North.

They handballed with purpose, and not just to get rid of the ball.

They controlled play, and saw so much of the ball that they were not flattered by their quarter-time lead of 37 points to lead.

They could have led by something like 10 goals had there not been so much haphazard kicking for goal.

Perhaps nerves caused some North Melbourne players to hold back in that quarter, but it is obvious that North could do with more pace.

Half the time Richmond defenders did not have to fight to turn aside North attacks simply because they were yards ahead of opponents.

It is no good forwards making position miles from anyone if the ball has no chance of getting to them. Barassi saw this happen time and again on Saturday.

North can probably claim it was unlucky to lose the toss, which meant it had to kick against a near gale force wind.

And certainly North suffered when the rain came and the wind dropped in the second quarter.

But I still think Richmond would have won.

The Tigers were at their best in the second quarter when they felt it was necessary.

This doesn’t mean the Tigers have no worries. They have several players who can do a lot better, including Kevin Bartlett, Hart, David Thorpe and Paul Sproule.

Match details

Richmond                        5.7           7.8           9.11        10.13 (73)
North Melbourne              0.0           2.8           5.11        6.16 (52)                                                                     

Goals – Richmond: Richardson 5, Sproule 2, Bartlett, Hart, Walsh.

Leading disposal-winners – Richmond: Sheedy 24, Morris 23, Bartlett 22, Walsh 21, Balme 20.

Best players – Richmond: Balme (best on ground), Morris, Andrews, Bourke, Richardson, Green.

Goals – North Melbourne: Wade 3, Briedis, Cable, Nolan.

Leading disposal-winners – North Melbourne: Feltham 27, Rantall 26, Cable 24, W. Schimmelbusch 23, Cowton 21.

Best players – North Melbourne: Rantall, W. Schimmelbusch, Dench, Cable, Davis, Feltham.

Attendance: 57,569