RICHMOND still has a lot of improving to do but took a nice step forward on Saturday night in defeating North Melbourne by 54 points at Metricon Stadium.

Six days after battling to win against Sydney at the Gabba, the Tigers put the Kangaroos away early with a rampant first quarter.

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They won 11.11 (77) to 2.11 (23) to move into fourth spot on the ladder.

The game was effectively over at quarter-time, with Richmond leading 27-0 on the back of an 18-1 inside-50 count.

It was one-way traffic, and although losing Josh Caddy to a hamstring injury in the second term, the Tigers lost none of their hunger, playing with intensity right until the final siren.

While Dustin Martin (16 disposals and two goals) had his moments, and Dylan Grimes excelled in marshalling a defence that could not be penetrated, it was some younger faces that would excite Tiger fans.

Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (23), Jack Higgins (19) and Shai Bolton (19) were among the premiers' best players in an even team performance.

The game was not much short of a nightmare for North Melbourne, losing skipper Jack Ziebell to a hamstring injury and never threatening after the disheartening first quarter.

To compound the Roos' woes, youngster Kyron Hayden was carried off the field in the third quarter after a heavy collision with Tom Lynch.

Hayden courageously ran back with the flight of the ball but was inadvertently caught by Lynch's elbow before crashing to the ground.

It was the Kangaroos' fifth straight loss.

RICHMOND 4.3 6.5 9.7 11.11 (77)
NORTH MELBOURNE 0.0 2.3 2.6 2.11 (23)

GOALS
Richmond: Aarts 2, Chol 2, Martin 2, Castagna, Lynch, Pickett, Riewoldt, Rioli
North Melbourne: Dumont, Walker

BEST
Richmond: Eggmolesse-Smith, Bolton, Grimes, Short, Higgins, Martin.
North Melbourne: Higgins, Walker, Dumont, Hall

INJURIES
Richmond: Caddy (hamstring)
North Melbourne: Zurhaar (calf) replaced in selected side by McKay, Ziebell (hamstring), Hayden (head)