The Richmond side North will face on Saturday night is vastly different to the one the Roos have had success against in previous years.

The Tigers team that played Essendon last week has 11 different players from when North last.

Eleven Tigers that played Essendon last week, did not play North last time the sides met.

They are: Dylan Grimes, Dion Prestia, Bachar Houli, Jayden Short, Josh Caddy, Toby Nankervis, Shai Bolton, Kamdyn McIntosh, Connor Menadue, Todd Elton and Jason Castagna

Missing from the last encounter are Nick Vlaustin, Brett Deledio, Jake Batchelor, Shaun Hampson, Ben Griffiths, Troy Chaplin, Anthony Miles, Taylor Hunt, Ty Vickery, Corey Ellis and Steven Morris.

While some of those changes were forced through player departures and injury, what Richmond has done is usher in a shift in the way the club has played.

There is an increased focus on pressuring the opposition when in possession; the Tigers rising from bottom of the table in 2016 to the top half this season.

The pressure hasn’t been the sole domain of the smaller forwards, which can sometimes be the case. Indeed it’s the captain, Trent Cotchin, who is Richmond’s top pressure player according to Champion Data.

Not too far behind him is Dustin Martin, and even ruckman Toby Nankervis is doing his bit. With those players buying into the team plan, it’s no surprise Richmond has been in all but one game so far this season.

The extra pressure has helped the Tigers on two fronts – keeping the ball locked in close to home, plus restricting the chances opposition sides have to hit the scoreboard.

Only two sides – Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs – spend more of the game with the ball in their forward half.

The Tigers have only conceded more than 89 points on one occasion, making them one of the best defensive teams in the competition.

Their season has had some similarities to North – namely close losses.

Much like Brad Scott was adamant his side would come out on the other end stronger for it, so have the Tigers.

After three consecutive heartbreaking losses by under a goal, Richmond was able to put away Essendon late in the game, keeping the Bombers goalless in the final quarter.

The win put Richmond a game inside the eight, and while they could have been higher still, their consistent form over the first 10 rounds indicate it’s a side which is very capable.