Richmond survived an early scare from North Melbourne to keep their finals hopes alive with a 33-point victory.
After a slow start, the Tigers worked their way into a dour contest to run out 13.11 (89) to 8.8 (56) victors over the Roos at the MCG.
It looked like North were the team playing for a spot in September as they came out and dominated the contest in the first half.
Richmond seemed uninterested and it looked as though they weren’t willing to crack in, playing uncompetitively as the young Roos did what they pleased with the ball in hand.
Fortunately for the Tigers, North’s dominance didn’t translate on the scoreboard, leaving the door open for a Richmond revival post halftime.
After the long break, Richmond responded like a champion team does. The Tigers woke up from their slumber and started to show shades of a team that’s won three of the last four flags.
Although it wasn’t pretty, Richmond began to overwork a tired North side that seemed to have spent their tickets in the first half.
Emerging leader Jack Graham led the way with 36 disposals, 8 tackles and 481m gained. The young Tiger was ably supported by senior figures Shane Edwards (14 disposals, 2 goals), Nick Vlastuin (30 disposals, 14 marks) and Dion Prestia (29 disposals, 1 goal).
Multiple goalscorers Callum Coleman-Jones, Liam Baker and Edwards kept the finals flame alive for the Tigers despite a four goal haul from the returning Cameron Zurhaar.
The Roos can hold their heads high despite a second half fadeout. They were inspired by the form of Aaron Hall (37 disposals, 717m gained) and future leader Jye Simpkin (34 disposals, 6 marks) who kept fighting all day. The much maligned Luke Davies-Uniacke played a career best match - racking up a whopping 38 disposals.
A season-defining game awaits the Tigers next week when they face GWS for a spot in the eight. Richmond has a superior percentage to the Giants and next closest Fremantle. A win next week would surely give Richmond a berth in the finals.
North will finish the season out against top four aspirant Sydney next week and finish with a winnable game against 2020 wooden spooners Adelaide in the final round.
FULL SCORE
Richmond: 0.3, 2.4, 9.6, 13.11 (89)
North Melbourne: 3.4, 5.6, 7.8, 8.8 (56)
GOALS
Richmond: Edwards 2, Coleman-Jones 2, Riewoldt 2, Baker 2, Bolton, Parker, M.Rioli, Ralphsmith, Prestia
North Melbourne: Zurhaar 4, Larkey, Mahony, Taylor, Scott, Taylor
BEST
Richmond: Graham, Vlastuin, Edwards, Prestia, Baker, D.Rioli
North Melbourne: Davies-Uniacke, Hall, Simpkin, Zurhaar, Goldstein, Ziebell