Richmond have cruised to a 35-point victory over North Melbourne on the back of a dominant third quarter.
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Final score
North Melbourne Kangaroos 9.12.66
Richmond Tigers 14.17.101
The Richmond Tigers finally overcame their late game jitters last week ending a four-game losing streak. On the cusp of the top four entering Round 11, the Tigers can solidify their spot in the eight with a win against a red-hot North Melbourne. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:25pm (AEST).
The Kangaroos and Tigers have been linked, mirroring each other in season 2017. Richmond was flawless, starting their season with five successive victories. Conversely, North Melbourne were deeply flawed, losing five straight.
The football world marvelled at the rejuvenated Tigers while simultaneously lambasting the Kangaroos.
Naturally a reversal in form promptly followed.
The Shinboners are now in the midst of an admirable recovery job, winning 4 of their past 5 matches, while the Tigers lost all but one of their next 5 games – often in spectacular and soul-crushing fashion.
Thus, both teams are delicately poised heading into the Saturday night clash.
North Melbourne have kept their season alive with tight victories over Carlton and Melbourne and have shown the damage they are capable of when on form, demolishing a then-undefeated Crows side by 59 points.
Behind a dangerous forward line led by Ben Brown and Jarrad Waite, the Roos are the sixth-highest scoring offence in the competition.
However, they will have their task cut out for them this week as they face a resurgent Richmond team boasting the third-ranked defence.
After successive last-minute defeats, the Tigers exorcised some demons last week, pulling away from the Bombers in the last quarter.
The margin of 15 points flattered the Bombers, as Richmond largely dominated the match having 10 more shots at goal.
As such the Tigers will only make one change to a victorious side, as Dan Butler forces his way into the team at the expense of ruckman Todd Elton.
Likewise, with the Kangaroos coming off two victories, they will enter the Saturday night clash unchanged.
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Prediction
Arguably the two best defenders in the competition, Alex Rance and Robbie Tarrant will both be vital tonight.
If Brown and Waite are in form, Rance will be forced to be more defensively inclined robbing the Tigers of some rebound out of half back.
Tarrant will also have his hands full, manning superstar Jack Riewoldt. With Richmond relying so heavily on Riewoldt for goals, if Tarrant can shut down his man, the Tigers may have trouble scoring.
Although the Tigers sit fifth on the ladder and the Kangaroos sit 13th this match should be far more competitive than the ladder suggests.
Richmond by 9 points.
Perry Bridge
Guest
As bad as North were - Richmond, after watching them last week against Essendon - as still struggling to be efficient in attack. A lot of the ball in the hands of key players - but in this game relied on a 5 minute burst from the umpires to start the 3rd term to give them real scoreboard impact. North were shell shocked. However - as a North fan - I couldn't believe how badly we played - turn overs not from pressure but from poor decisions from marks, and poor execution. Perhaps North had been drilled to avoid Rance - personally I'd rather put pressure on the defenders. But - other than charity frees to ragdoll Riewoldt - we don't often see the forward getting much. 4th umpire was woefully inconsistent.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Dustin Martin was easily the best player in the 'Dusty Derby' dominating with 38 possessions and two goals. Ultimately North Melbourne will be left to rue a horrible 15 minute period following half time in which they conceded 3 50m penalties leading to a six goal quarter for the Tigers.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Siren sounds and the Tigers find themselves back in the top four with that victory! Richmond have defeated the Kangaroos by 35 points. FULL TIME North Melbourne 9.12 (66) Richmond 14.17 (101)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
That's not what you want to see near the end of the game. Taylor Garner may have injured himself flying for an attempted mark.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
That's the icing on the cake as Dan Butler converts a set shot from 35m out from straight in front. GOAL RICHMOND North Melbourne 9.12 (66) Richmond 14.16 (100)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Typical of North Melbourne's night as Higgins fumbles deep in the forward 50, squandering another potential shot at goal.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Just a little over six minutes remaining in this one as the Tigers try to maintain possession of the ball with a bit of kick to kick.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Edwards centres the ball to LLoyd who will kick from straight in front 40m out. Just a minor score as he tugs it across the face of goal. BEHIND RICHMOND North Melbourne 9.12 (66) Richmond 13.16 (94)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
McDonald marks a hurried kick fro Houli 35m out straight in front. He kicks it like a defender pulling it badly to the right. BEHIND KANGAROOS North Melbourne 9.12 (66) Richmond 13.15 (93)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Lambert kicks the goal but Edwards created that out of nowhere. Edwards fools the North defender with a nice side step, before a crisp handball allows Lambert to convert from 20m out. That might be the game GOAL RICHMOND North Melbourne 8.11 (65) Richmond 13.15 (93)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
There is still plenty of time remaining with 12:48 to go. Another goal from the Kangas and Richmond might start to tighten up.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Finally the Roos get a sorely needed goal. From a Richmond turnover, Hansen is the last man in the chain taking the mark 30m out. Makes no mistake and North are still alive. GOAL KANGAROOS North Melbourne 8.11 (65) Richmond 12.15 (87)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Brad Scott smiles ruefully after another opportunity goes begging. Again the Roos make it a lot tougher on themselves before big Goldstein snaps the ball out on the full from 20m out. They've been good in the last 5 minutes but haven't been able to reflect that on the scoreboard.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Good solo effort from Waite, dancing around a few defenders before snapping for goal. It's ruled a behind, looks like the ball actually went over the behind post! BEHIND KANGAROOS North Melbourne 8.11 (59) Richmond 12.14 (86)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
WOW! Macmillan has unleashed a monster Torpedo from the centre square and it nearly works for him with the ball almost bouncing through for a goal! Unfortunately it takes a wrong bounce at the last second and hits the post. Easily the best point of the night. BEHIND KANGAROOS North Melbourne 8.10 (58) Richmond 12.14 (86)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
The North defence is put under pressure immediately, but Vickers-Willis does well to win a 1 on 1 contest with Caddy as the ball is rushed for a point. BEHIND TIGERS North Melbourne 8.9 (57) Richmond 12.14 (86)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Richmond should cruise to victory from here but will their 4th quarter demons return tonight? 4th quarter is underway.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
An ugly and undisciplined third term from North Melbourne has allowed the Tigers to take a control of the match. Although Richmond scored 6 goals to the Kanga's 1, the Tigers had the opportunity to ice the game but wayward kicking has prevented that. Martin is proving to be unstoppable with 29 disposals and 2 goals and he is being ably supported by Dion Prestia who has 25 touches.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
North's disposal has been abysmal for 15 years, but this might be the worst ever seen at AFL level.