Richmond VFL has suffered its first loss of 2019, falling to North Melbourne by 29 points at Arden Street on Saturday afternoon.
The Roos were slick and efficient up forward, prevailing 17.7 (109) to 11.14 (80).
North Melbourne hosted a home game at Arden Street for the first time since 1985 and Richmond was keen to secure the four points up for grabs.
But the hosts looked sharp in the opening term, moving the ball with fluency from their defensive half and using the ball through the corridor with precision.
Tiger Shaun Mannagh slotted the opening goal, after Derek Eggmolesse-Smith showed urgency and spring as he rose high to pluck a forward-half turnover.
Eggmolesse-Smith pierced the ball into the corridor to find Jacob Townsend, and the final link in the chain was Mannagh, sticking a handy mark on the lead as the crafty forward nailed his set-shot.
North then enjoyed a patch of dominance, slamming through three goals on the trot, skating to a 14-point lead. The Roos’ key backs, led by Sam Durdin, patrolled the air when the Tigers kicked the ball long and deep.
Jacob Ballard looked sharp on the lead inside 50 and kicked a goal to peg back the deficit, after Jack Graham surged from a centre clearance and delivered the ball onto Ballard’s chest.
View this post on InstagramOur first loss of the season. We turn our attention to the Cats next week #gotiges
The margin was seven points at quarter time in favour of North Melbourne.
Mav Weller and Graham provided grunt and pressure through the midfield, and Eggmolesse-Smith and Connor Menadue added some dash and flair off half-back.
The Roos clicked into gear in the second quarter and controlled the ball by foot, recording 50 uncontested marks for the half.
The Tigers struggled to exert their trademark pressure, allowing the Roos access to its attacking 50.
North Melbourne also took its chances in front of goal when they presented.
Gut runner Tom Silvestro provided a spark up forward in the second term, slotting the Tigers only two majors for the term to keep his side in the hunt.
The Roos held a 20-point lead at half-time.
Richmond needed a lift; an injection of energy and Patrick Naish provided the impetus for the game swinging back the way of the Tigers.
The ladder-leaders nailed the opening goal before Naish bobbed-up with a duo of majors.
The first was a classy set-shot from beyond the arc, and the second sailed over the goal umpire’s hat after benefiting from a forward-half turnover.
The dashing winger also had a direct hand in another goal in the third term, helping the Tigers get the game back on their terms.
Richmond’s fourth debutant of 2019, Luke Nelson showcased his class and composure after cruising in for his first VFL major in the yellow and black.
The goal pricked the Tigers into action, however, North rallied and kicked a trio of majors to end the quarter with an 18-point lead.
If it was any chance of causing an upset, Richmond needed to make every post a winner in the final term.
Unfortunately, the Tigers’ comeback mission was made a whole lot tougher as the Roos scored three goals in quick succession, stretching the deficit to 33 points.
Budding defender Chad Harris showed effort and urgency from the back-half in arguably his best performance for the Club.
Harris was the poster boy for how the Tigers wanted the game played, and kept the visitors within striking distance in the last quarter.
Red-time goals to Luke Nelson, Shaun Mannagh and Mav Weller gave the rugged-up Richmond faithful a glimmer of hope but they were to no avail.
The Tigers owned the territory in the final term, but inaccuracy (3.7) meant they never really cut the margin to a point where the Roos felt jittery.
North was deadly accurate in the last quarter (6.0) which didn’t help Richmond’s cause.
Jack Graham was impressive around the contest with his grunt and running capacity.
Omitted from AFL level, Daniel Rioli and Connor Menadue were solid, their speed helping get the Tigers back in the game.
Richmond will look to treat the loss as a learning curve, setting its sights on a brunch date with Geelong at 11.00am next Saturday, June 8 at the Swinburne Centre.
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.2 7.5 11.7 17.7 (109)
RICHMOND 2.1 4.3 8.7 11.14 (80)
Goal Kickers:
North Melbourne: Garner (3), Hosie (3), Taylor (3), Hall (2), Hrovat (2), Campbell, Hayden, Leonardis, Robinson
Richmond: Naish (2), Mannagh (2), Nelson (2), Slivestro (2), Weller (2), Ballard
