Roos overcome plucky TigersBy Gemma Bastiani
afl.com.au
18 May 2025RICHMOND 2.1 6.2 9.6 11.8 (74)
NORTH MELBOURNE 6.0 7.1 10.5 12.6 (78)
GOALS
Richmond: Campbell 3, Lalor 2, McIntosh 2, Lynch 2, Sims, Ralphsmith,
North Melbourne: Zurhaar 4, Larkey 2, Darling 2, Davies-Uniacke, Maley, McKercher, Konstanty,
BEST
Richmond: Nankervis, Campbell, Lalor, Vlaustin, Taranto,
North Melbourne: Xerri, Zurhaar, Davies-Uniacke, McKercher, Comben
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Kaleb Smith (replaced Luke Trainor in the last quarter)
North Melbourne: Zane Duursma (replaced Bailey Scott in the third quarter)
Crowd: 54,060 at the MCG
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IT MIGHT not have been between two contenders, but it was a thriller, nonetheless.
Despite leading for much of the game, North Melbourne did everything it could to give up its lead late, as skill errors marred its ball movement out of defence, but Richmond simply couldn't capitalise, eventually falling by four points.
It was a rare close win for the Kangaroos, with the 12.6 (78) to 11.8 (74) victory set up in the side's first opening quarter win of the season, on the first truly wintery Sunday of the year.
Cam Zurhaar (four goals) was at his bustling best inside 50 to do the damage on the scoreboard, while Nick Larkey (two goals, five marks) had to contend with Ben Miller for much of the afternoon.
It was largely once the ball hit the deck in attack that the Roos looked particularly dangerous in the early patches. The likes of Nick Vlastuin (nine intercepts), Nathan Broad (six), and Ben Miller (eight) controlled the air, but at ground level the Roos' smalls and midfielders got busy.
Where North Melbourne could do no wrong in its forward line across the opening term, the tables turned after the first break. The Tigers' defensive wall settled in and dominated via intercept, preventing the Roos from being able to enter their attacking 50, let alone generate an opportunity to score.
At the other end of the ground, it took time for Richmond's marking forwards to work into the game. Tom Lynch failed to touch the ball in the first quarter, but finished the game with two goals from 13 touches as he established a presence.
Breakout small forward Seth Campbell (15 disposals, three goals), however, proved to be a constant headache, while Hugo Ralphsmith had the crowd stunned with a goal from the boundary that was eerily reminiscent of Peter Daicos.
The Roos' good – or bad – fortune hinged on its strength and organisation around stoppage. Early, the ability to neatly balance inside layers, with the next release layer was impressive, resulting in genuine, attacking clearances and four of their six first quarter goals came directly from stoppage.
It was here that Richmond was able to establish some ascendancy after the first break. With a bit more control at contest, the Tigers lived in their front half, but frustratingly their efficiency once inside the arc didn't allow them to shut the door on the scoreboard.
Ultimately Richmond won the inside 50 count 49-45, and brought the forward pressure with 22 tackles inside 50, but converted a goal from just 22.4 per cent of its entries.
A hot startNorth Melbourne came into the match without a first quarter win to its name this year, but fresh off a dramatic draw with reigning premier Brisbane, it carried a sense of momentum into Sunday's clash. Following a tense, stoppage-heavy opening seven minutes, young Roo Finn O'Sullivan broke free to hit Cameron Zurhaar inside 50 to open the scoring. The Roos went on to pile another five goals on for the term, and ultimately went into the first break with a 23-point lead. Not only was it the club's first quarter-time lead since round 22 last year, the 6.0 (36) scoreline was its highest opening quarter score since round 14 last year against Collingwood.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1324300/roo-demption-roos-finally-snag-second-win-over-plucky-tigers
